FEATURE PUMPS, VALVES & ACTUATORS IIOT OFFERS MORE INTELLIGENT WASH DAY PUMPING


SEKO discusses the role Industry 4.0 and the IIOT are playing in the operation and use of chemical dosing pumps and control systems, and shows the benefits to be had in implementing the technology on pumps used in commercial washing machines


T


he manufacturing and industrial automation sectors are in the midst


of an exciting transformation, as we enter the second decade of the fourth industrial revolution. The Internet of Things (IoT) is a


marriage of smart device technology and data generation, processing and accessibility. In the consumer sector, this has resulted in the emergence of the smart home, with users benefitting from the ability to remotely control a multitude of household appliances – from lighting and heating to kitchen appliances and security devices – via computers, smartphones and tablets. Statistica estimates that, by the end of


this year, the worldwide installed base of internet-connected devices will exceed 30 billion, rising to 75 billion by the middle of the next decade. In sectors such as manufacturing,


healthcare and water treatment, businesses are embracing Industry 4.0/IIoT by embedding technology in physical applications to help managers improve operational efficiency. As a manufacturer of chemical dosing


pumps and control systems, SEKO is influencing and witnessing how this technology is changing what is possible


in traditional pump applications, specifically laundry and warewash dosing. Operators in the


food and beverage, hospitality, restaurant and professional laundry sectors striving for convenience, efficiency and sustainability are increasingly specifying web- enabled pump systems for commercial dishwashers and washing machines. The major draw of IoT is that


features such as up-to-date downloadable manuals, intelligent auto-tuning sensors and online step- by-step technical support can accelerate installation, setup and commissioning and reduce associated time and costs. Using built-in web servers, data is


harvested on multiple pump values, including wash cycle status, chemical consumption and equipment


performance, which can then be accessed historically or in real time via a cloud- based platform. With this vital information at their


fingertips, users can programme and adjust wash formulas, maximum flow rate, unit of measure and other parameters as well as selecting pump operating modes such as manual, batch and timed. Common features include the option to


view chemical consumption in financial terms, which allows projected savings to be precisely calculated when considering dosing changes. Reducing chemical and energy


consumption this way means operators benefit from efficiency improvements and can budget more accurately and streamline stored chemical volume. Most IoT-based systems include an alarm log that enables users to identify and action faults immediately, helping them to improve efficiency in equipment maintenance, repair and upgrade planning and to minimise costly and inconvenient unplanned downtime. The technology allows even specific component


performance and status to be assessed, meaning the user can


The Elektra Controller provides live and historical data from any location worldwide


MILKING THE BENEFITS OF EASY TO CLEAN VALVES


Yew Tree Dairy is about to complete the final stage of a factory upgrade which will include the installation and commissioning of a new milk powder processing system. As the equipment installed must be to the highest hygienic dairy specification, Yew Tree Dairy has chosen to install DMN-WESTINGHOUSE rotary and diverter valves. For part of the upgrade, DMN has supplied an AL type rotary


valve with easily removable end covers which facilitates access to the internals of the valve for cleaning purposes by maintenance staff. The AL rotary valve also features air purged seals which prevents the build-up of product around the rotary valve shaft and seals. This can be a real problem with dairy powders due to their low bulk density. The installation will feature a further six DMN valves, and will also include the BL MZC. The BL MZC can be set to meter product directly from a head of material into the pneumatic conveying


line which transports the product onto the next part of the process. This is useful in areas where height is a limiting factor, as there is no need for a transition piece such as a dropout box from the valve into the pneumatic line. While the BL MZC has the same easy clean characteristics of the AL valve, it also incorporates the MZC


easy clean rails. For ease of rotary valve maintenance, simply unbolt the end cover, slide it away from the body of the valve, clean the valve and slide the end cover back into position. The end cover automatically locates in the correct position; there is none of the hassle of trying to juggle heavy end covers and rotors. All DMN dairy specification valves and diverters can be specified to suit a CIP process and adhere to ATEX


standards, both as equipment and as an Autonomous Protective System. DMN Westinghouse


T: 01249 818400 12 APRIL 2020 | PROCESS & CONTROL www.dmnwestinghouse.com


be alerted that a part is due for replacement, which also drives aftermarket sales for suppliers. Meanwhile, manufacturers


themselves benefit by monitoring


trends, user preferences and common problems in order to refine equipment and improve their product offering. It’s not only the efficiency of equipment


and utilities that can be improved. For businesses running across multiple sites in different countries or even continents, IIoT means operations management can be anywhere in the world, and still be as effective as they would be whilst stood in front of the machine itself. Plus, wasted journeys by maintenance


technicians – who may travel a considerable distance to assess a pump’s condition only to find it in perfect working order – can be eliminated, as they need only be deployed when required. With a new decade upon us and 5G


opening yet more possibilities for high- speed, ultra-reliable IoT, the pump industry is primed to see where technology will take Industry 4.0 in 2020 and beyond.


SEKO www.seko.com


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