Centrifugalpumpe til varmefølsomme, flydende fødevareprodukter samt løbehjul til en sådan centrifugalpumpe

The invention relates to a centrifugal pump (54) for conveying heat-sensitive fluid food products (P), such as whey protein concentrates, baby food, fluid baby food concentrates, nutritious drinks or cheesemaking milk, having the further characteristics of the general terms of claim 1. The object of the invention is to create a centrifugal pump, which reduces the tendency for product fouling in the conveying of heat-sensitive fluid food products, in particular in the conveying thereof out of an infuser container for directly heating the fluid food product with water vapour, and which thereby has a significantly extended service life in relation to a hydraulically optimised centrifugal pump according to the state of the art. This is achieved in that the rear and/or front impeller gap (s1, s2) is/are increased up to many times over, in relation to a respective related minimal rear and front impeller gap (s1*, s2*) that ensures the mechanical functionality of the centrifugal pump (54), via a reduction in the width of the impeller (100) in the region of the front and the rear impeller gap (s1, s2); and in that at least the housing cover (8) is provided with a coolant chamber (8.1, 10.1) through which a coolant can flow.