MATERIALS HANDLING
SUCCESS R
Sweet Pumps help chocolatier resolve solids issue
ecently, a UK-based pump supplier was approached by a leading European chocolatier with the challenging task
of adding a solids handling functionality to the pumping of its brand of famous chocolate. The pumps in question needed to handle an already troublesome medium, namely chocolate, but in this case with the addition of ‘inclusions’ such as nuts and raisins. Having serviced most of the main
chocolate producers over the years, Triark’s experts knew only too well that requires an expert approach.
to be kept warm, not only as it moves along the pipelines, but also through the pump. The main issue is that chocolate is ‘shear sensitive’, meaning the cocoa butter and cocoa solids can easily separate if moved too fast, which can in turn burn the chocolate. This is not something that a high-end confectionary producer can allow. Chocolate will also react the same way if the discharge pressure is anywhere over 100psi, so lines needs to be born in mind too. Triark Pumps’ engineers initially
considered using an air-operated double diaphragm (AODD) pump, its most successful pump type for chocolate- based applications to date, but the lack of a localised compressed air supply required. Unfortunately, the overall choices
were limited given the need for an electrically operated pump that could
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run slow (due to the shear sensitive nature of chocolate), handle solids (nuts and raisins) and be heated, so that the chocolate wouldn’t cool during both the normal running cycle or when the system stopped for any reason.
MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE Having carried out extensive ‘pre- selection’ research before discussing possible options with a number of their key suppliers, the engineers likes Alfa Laval, Grundfos and Desmi. Eventually though, and drawing upon the experience gained during a previous visit to India by Triark’s managing director, David Rozée, where he witnessed Desmi pumps in operation at cocoa mass, the most appropriate solution was determined. Triark supplied two Desmi Rotan
2in positive displacement internal gear pumps, comprising cast iron casing and rotor, mild steel shafts, bronze internal bearings, front and rear
Above: The chocolate producer relies on a Desmi close-coupled internal gear pump
heating jackets, packed gland seal and secondary lip seal. Each pump on a fabricated ‘top hat’ style stainless steel base plate, with a stainless steel coupling guard.
Commenting on this application,
David Rozée says: “Desmi has built an enviable reputation in the manufacture of pumps for the food and drink sector, so not only did the eventual selection provide a quality solution that has been running without issue, it also provided us to tick every box on the original brief.”
For more information visit
www.tri-ark.com
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