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BOILERS, PUMPS & VALVES


OVERCOMING FOOD SAFETY RISKS FOR VACUUM PUMPS


pumps are operating as expected, with very little or no oil carryover. This will improve the pump’s overall efficiency levels and longevity. However, many customers will want the assurance that those involved in the food supply chain are making every effort to control these risks so that it is practically impossible for food to become contaminated. Subsequently, many facilities are now turning to oil-free vacuum pump technology to meet this need.


M


ore needs to be done in food production environments to ensure contamination risks from vacuum pumps are eliminated or controlled to an acceptable level, explains Iain Cunningham, food & beverage sector manager at Elmo Rietschle, a Gardner Denver brand. The use of compressed air is covered in the hazard analysis and critical control point principles (HACCP), an internationally recognised set of guidelines for reducing the risk of safety hazards in food. But what about vacuum pumps, which remove air from food packaging prior to sealing, and are not covered by HACCP?


If HACCP seeks to identify what risks there are to food safety and what can be done to ensure these are removed or reduced to a safe level, then food manufacturers should not overlook vacuum pumps. Many of these will be oil-lubricated, and it’s important to note that these will generally be excellent, reliable products, with the majority of them operating without any issues arising. Nevertheless, poor maintenance practices or minor equipment faults can risk oil discharging from a vacuum pump’s exhaust. This presents a big problem for sites where air quality simply cannot be compromised.


As well as oil discharge from the exhaust, operators should also be aware that oil-lubricated vacuum pumps run the risk of oil carrying over from an open-ended inlet port, and there is the chance an air/oil separator element may fail due to misuse or through the use of non-genuine parts. Filters can be a real challenge, too. Over time, filters can become blocked, often due to a lack of


servicing or problems such as a badly fitting or failing separator. The oil used in an oil-lubricated pump then bypasses the unit’s filters and blows out the back of the system. Oil droplets then circulate in the air of the immediate environment where the food is being processed, with the very real possibility that this will contaminate the food. However, by taking a predictive and preventative approach to vacuum pumps that are being used in food processing applications, these risks can be overcome.


ADDRESSING THE FOOD SAFETY RISKS


Many of the challenges outlined previously can be overcome with a comprehensive maintenance programme. For instance, simple measures such as using a food grade lubricant, fitting a downstream exhaust filter or remotely piping the exhaust air, can ensure the potential risks from an oil-lubricated vacuum pump are managed. Always using genuine parts is another important means of managing potential problems. Oil- lubricated vacuum pumps run the risk of oil being discharged from the exhaust, and there is a chance that the separator element may fail due to disuse, a poor fit or low quality. Genuine spare parts dramatically limit the possibility of these problems occurring and protect the facility’s investment by helping to ensure a long operational lifespan, plus reduced whole life costs too. Regular and timely maintenance is also essential. This helps ensure any potential contamination is avoided, while ensuring a site’s


10 DECEMBER/JANUARY 2020 | FACTORY&HANDLINGSOLUTIONS


THE OIL-FREE OPTION Oil-free vacuum pumps have been specifically developed to meet the needs of manufacturers requiring only the highest air purity standards. These pumps do not require the same level of maintenance as oil-lubricated models, as there is no need to replace oil or filters. This also provides the added benefit of cutting down on costs over a pump’s lifetime.


Another major advantage to an oil-free vacuum pump is that it will not need to be removed to carry out maintenance. This means there is no equipment downtime or associated costs from oil, waste oil disposal or labour.


With the focus on air quality only likely to increase as time goes on, there’s real potential for those operating in the food processing industry to reap the rewards of oil-free vacuum pumps. Many consider a vacuum pump to be a small and ‘hidden’ commodity item, with operators tending to ignore how they are operating until it is too late – do not make this mistake. By taking the appropriate maintenance action for an oil-lubricated model, or investing in oil-free technology, food processing sites can rest assured that they have done everything possible to help control food safety hazards.


Gardner Denver


www.gardnerdenver.com/ industrials


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