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Food & Drink


Pumping potato with ease Sine pump smoothes the way for successful mashed potato transfer


MasoSine, a division of the Watson-Marlow Pumps Group, has supplied a number of MasoSine SPS 2.5 pumps to food processing specialist, DC Norris & Co Ltd, which has replaced rotary lobe pumps on a challenging mashed potato transfer duty after the existing pumps could not provide enough suction to cope with high viscosity levels.


For over 35 years DC Norris has been at the heart of the food processing industry, providing solutions ranging from stand- alone equipment to automated processing lines. However, following extensive trials with a major customer for the supply of ‘turn-key’ food plants across Russia, the company encountered a pumping problem with one particular viscous food type: mashed potato.


“In each plant a two tonne per hour mashed potato system was to be installed, with a high percentage of the finished product being bagged for cook/chill ready-meal applications,” explains the company’s business development manager, David George. “Our standard pump/fill station uses a rotary lobe pump which did not give enough suction to prime the pump.” Seeking an alternative and having used MasoSine pumps previously for other viscous pumping duties, DC Norris enquired about the MasoSine SPS 2.5, a highly reliable, economic pump ideally suited to high pressure, hygienic operations in sectors such as food manufacture. The pump’s exclusive sinusoidal rotor overcomes the limitations of conventional rotary lobe pumps to produce powerful suction with low shear, low pulsation and gentle handling.


“The MasoSine pump cured our problem across the range of viscosities that can be experienced with mashed potato,” states Mr George. “Furthermore, it is very easy to maintain and accepted the system cleaning regime.”


With hygiene and product quality two factors of paramount importance at the customer plants, pumps require stripping down for cleaning in accordance with a strict cleaning schedule. MasoSine pumps can be dismantled and cleaned, and ready to go again in about 20 minutes. No special skills or tools are required and the task can be completed by production line operatives rather than maintenance engineers. SPS series pumps offer capacity up to 91.2 m³/hr and pressures up to 15 bar thanks to their heavy duty construction. They can safely pump high viscosity products, while their innovative yet simple design allows economical in-line maintenance. With a single shaft and rotor, there is no need for the complex timing gears and multiple seals associated with conventional rotary lobe pumps.


Such has been the success of the MasoSine application in Russia that it has already been repeated, as Mr George confirms. “Three of these systems are currently working across Russia with four more factory sites being discussed,” he says. “Additionally, sites in the UK and Australia are also in final discussions for similar systems. There’s no doubt that the MasoSine pumps have become a key part of our process solutions for viscous products.” For more information visit: www.wmpg.co.uk


18 Solids & Bulk Handling • October 2011


www.solidsandbulk.co.uk


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