FEATURE PUMPS, VALVES & ACTUATORS A SWEET SOLUTION TO A STICKY ISSUE
engineers were looking for a better and more reliable technology to replace lobe pumps which were failing due to their ineffective mechanical seal design. Maintenance involved the removal of lobe pumps for offsite repair, supported by the implementation of a standby pump to maintain continuous production. Although the factory was managing to
keep pace with demand, there was a clear threat to achieving continuous production. In combination with the cost disadvantage associated with ongoing lobe pump maintenance, the company decided to take action.
When a well-known fruit jelly sweet manufacturer was experiencing issues with its lobe pumps, it called upon Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group to solve the problem with its Sine technology
W
hen it comes to confectionary production, the transfer of highly
viscous liquid sugar syrups can be troublesome to many pump types. Able to provide testimony to this, is the Brazil factory of a well-known fruit jelly sweet manufacturer, where production engineers were becoming frustrated with unscheduled maintenance and downtime due to the failure of lobe pumps. The company made enquiries about MasoSine pump technology from
Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group (WMFTG), and subsequently switched to Sine pumps, which has reduced maintenance and downtime significantly. This market leader in the fruit gum and
liquorice sector also developed a further two product lines to suit Brazilian tastes: marshmallow and fruit stick candies. Shortly after production commenced,
production engineers approached WMFTG at Fispal Tecnologia, a long-running annual exhibition in São Paulo. The
PUMP KIT CONFIGURED FOR DISTILLERY’S NEEDS
A distillery contacted North Ridge Pumps with the requirement to bulk transfer Methanol at 95% concentration, liquor and Gin from IBC’s into a bulk holding tank. The company needed a flow rate of 100-120l/min at 6M Head, for the unit to be food grade, self-priming, ATEX rated and mobile. A tall order for some companies, but for North Ridge configuring a pump kit for users’ requirements is something they are accustomed to. Mobile pump kits provide a versatile solution, ensuring
portability across processes with multiple liquids, with ease and without spillage. The GR ADPE ATEX-rated side channel pump in stainless
steel was selected, trolley mounted with 5M of Anti-static Conductive Food grade suction and delivery hose with tri-clamp fittings ensuring high levels of hygiene, and ease of cleaning. The solution was delivered in under three weeks. The unit was coupled to a 230V 0.76Kw motor enabling the kit to be used throughout the factory
without modification to existing electrical circuits. A side channel pump was chosen due to its self-priming ability, meaning it could be surface mounted,
handle low viscosity fluids and, because it was made of metal, could be ATEX-rated. North Ridge Pumps
www.northridgepumps.com
Unlike traditional mechanical seals, the triple lip seal system of MasoSine pumps (supplied as standard), is not affected by products with a high sugar content
OPERATIONALLY SOUND WMFTG representatives at the Fispal Tecnologia exhibition listened to the challenges set out by the sweet production engineers and were happy to recommend the MasoSine pump range with triple lip seal system. The triple lip seal is inexpensive to maintain and does not require any external lubrication sources, making it a suitable solution, not only operationally but financially. Unlike traditional mechanical seals, the
triple lip seal system of MasoSine pumps (supplied as standard), is not affected by products with a high sugar content. Conversely, sugar syrups can make the mechanical seal faces of lobe pumps stick together, almost like glue, when the pump is not running for any period. It was not long before the proposed
change from lobe pump to Sine pump technology was declared a success in the fruit jelly sweet manufacturing application. As a result of the trial, four MasoSine pumps were ordered to transfer viscous liquid sugar syrups at temperatures of 60-70°C, and flow rates up to 4600l/h.
LESS COMPONENT LOSSES Not only have maintenance and downtime costs been reduced, but MasoSine pumps are outperforming their lobe pump predecessors in this critical process, with less component losses. Ricardo Costa, the WMFTG engineer
responsible for this customer, said: “The acquisition of four pumps is clear evidence that the quality of MasoSine products and our level of service has gained the customer’s trust. We’re proud to work closely with such a big brand, and to share new ideas that deliver savings and efficiencies. We now look forward to tendering for future applications at this site, and are confident of being selected once again when their proposed factory extension project is approved.”
Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group
www.wmftg.com
10 JULY/AUGUST 2020 | PROCESS & CONTROL / PROCESS&CONTROL
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