Rapid Supply Of Reliable And Compact Valves Increases Efficiency Of Patient Care
Direct-acting solenoid valves have increased the reliability of a new compact macerator, designed to increase the efficiency of patient care. Bürkert has supplied waste management equipment company, Varnacare, with a high volume of plunger valves in a short timeframe to fulfil the demands of the Covid crisis. The valves were selected for their reliable operation with long service life, as well as their compact footprint.
Vernacare, a manufacturer of products for human waste management within hospitals and private medical facilities, wanted to use pneumatic valve control instead of hydraulics on its new range of macerators.
Used to shred and dispose of human waste, the new Compact series range of macerators is hygienically sealed and highly compact, enabling them to be installed in patient bathrooms and wards.
This removes the need for clinical staff to carry waste to a dedicated sluice or dirty utility room, increasing the efficiency of patient care. The Compact series of macerators are also contactless with hands-free operation to improve hygiene for staff and patients.
On previous models, low pressure hydraulics were used to operate the lid by compressing a solid seal, as well as actuate the bottom diaphragm valve used to flush the system. However, to increase hygiene and remove any potential of contamination, Vernacare decided to switch to a pneumatic system for its new generation of macerators, avoiding the risk of hydraulic leakage by reducing the number of connections to the water line. The OEM chose to work with Bürkert, based on its valve control expertise and highly durable valve design.
“With a large volume of Compact series macerators planned for installation in a wide variety of hospitals, reliability was crucial,” says Garry Partington, Group Product Development Manager at Vernacare. “The macerators would be in regular use around the clock on a daily basis, so it was very important that the valves would be able to provide repeated performance under tough conditions.”
Bürkert provided two Type 6013 direct-acting plunger solenoid valves featuring a compact form factor essential to minimise the macerator’s overall size. The first valve pneumatically controls lid seal inflation to create a reliable barrier and maintain environmental hygiene, while the second valve closes the bottom drain valve.
Direct acting solenoids feature a seal as part of the moving core and can be set to remain closed or open, even when no pressure is being applied. For the final design of the Compact and Compact+ macerators, the valve was set in a normally open position, the optimum configuration to reduce energy consumption.
The valves are designed to cope with particle debris. Thanks to the spring-damped seat seal, they have a long service life, as well as increased switching cycles due to sliding ring bearings. Reliability is also enhanced through the stopper and plunger guide tube which is welded together to increase pressure resistance and leak-tightness.
The Compact range was introduced in early 2020 as the demand for hospital equipment spiked resulting from the Covid crisis. This created an accelerated demand for Vernacare’s macerators that required a rapid ramp-up in production. Bürkert was tasked to supply 3,000 Type 6013 direct-acting plunger valves within a three-month timeframe, which the company achieved with 24-hour manufacturing.
As a result, Bürkert helped Vernacare bring its new product to market, answering the biggest healthcare demand in a generation. The valves, integral to the macerator’s design, enabled the development of a compact and reliable unit that enhances hospital hygiene and increase the efficiency of patient care.
Kirsty Anderson
Bürkert Fluid Control Systems
Tel: +44 (0)1285 648761 Fax: +44 (0)1285 648721
Web: www.burkert.co.uk
Email: kirsty.anderson@burkert.com
Burkert Fluid Control Systems
- 01285648720
- sales.uk@burkert.com
- http://www.burkert.com/
- Fluid Control Centre 1 Bridge End Gloucestershire Cirencester GL7 1QY GB
About us
Bürkert is present in thirtyfive countries around the world. We also work with a large network of distributors and partners, which means we are as close as possible to our customers. This global presence ensures full service and support to all of our customers in every country around the world. Research is the lifeblood of our company.
At Bürkert, we are never satisfied with the status quo and are continually seeking new technologies and solutions for our customers. Every year, our people develop new and highly advanced products and solutions, ranging from integrated process measurement and control units to the most sophisticated systems used in pharmaceutical research. To be a market leader, we are also an R&D leader.
Therefore, our investment in research & development is one of the highest in our industry. In our research centres in Germany and France, 150 people are committed to working for a common future for our company and our customers. We are committed to offering our expertise wherever it is needed, anywhere in the world. This global presence ensures that our advances in fluid control technology are also global.
What we do in a nutshell
Manufacture of process equipment. One of the few manufacturers to provide solutions for the complete control loop.
Where we supply to
UK Ireland, Europe
Industries we supply to
Food and Beverage, Pharmaceutical Cosmetics Toiletries, Water and Wastewater
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