Making an Easy Filling – Transform your process with the right pump
Liquid filling machines can be used for the transfer of a variety of bulk liquids being packed into bottles, pouches or other containers. Process requirements can range from water, glues, or chemicals to resins or food.
Selecting the right process technology can not only be challenging, given the variety of fluids but can also be problematic if common filling issues are not known in advance.
Utilising the correct Filling Technology can mean the difference between an efficient low wastage process, or unexpected consequences leading to repeated maintenance and downtime.
One type of pump we regularly recommended for liquid filling machines is a peristaltic pump, but how do they perform in liquid filling applications and why utilise such designs in a process?
6 Common Filling Issues
There are a range of issues common within liquid filling applications from pumps failing prematurely, to an unexpected change in the pumped fluid, cross contamination and even excess dosing of expensive fluids not charged for.
Let’s explore 6 common issues of incorrect pump selection:
- Cleaning
In order to recoup investment and maximise output, liquid filling machines are operated for extended periods often in large batches for economies of scale. When an ingredient, batch or colour change is made, pumps need to be cleaned to prevent cross contamination of fluids, colours or taste.
Utilising a peristaltic pump which consists of a single wearing part – a hose which can be removed and replaced in minutes or cleaned effectively quickly, helps prevent batches from being contaminated whilst maximising plant uptime.
- Gentle Action
As there are a variety of liquids which can be transferred within liquid filling machines, one undesirable effect can not only be shear, but if products such as inks are not handled gently bubbles or smearing can form within printed materials leading to wastage due to frothing.
As peristaltic pumps are gentle in their handling of media they not only ensure bubbles do not form but that there is no heat transfer from the unit to thermal sensitive gels, creams, liquids or chemicals altering their state or being a source of contamination.
- Abrasivity
Abrasive materials combined with extensive pump operation, is a combination that can quickly adversely affect most pump technologies. Abrasive liquid handling requires a slow, gentle process action which hose pumps provide.
Furthermore as units do not contain Mechanical seals, O Rings, or valves which are essential in other pump designs, they are not subject to wear which is often a common reasons for the shortening of a pumps lifespan.
- Easy Maintenance
As machine efficiency is based on maximum up time, any associated process equipment should be easy and quick to maintain in the event of process stoppage.
Peristaltic pumps contain only a single Wearing Part – the hose which is very easy to maintain, especially when used with a hose leakage sensor which can detect if a hose rupture occurs, automatically stopping the unit whilst simultaneously activating an alarm.
As such designs can also run dry, issues rarely occur, with processes remaining fully automated.
- Performance
Hose Pumps technology is such that it delivers a consistent volume of flow which is proportionate to speed. This means a pumps performance can be easily predicted and programmed into machines, with little loss of flow with changes in viscosity, back pressure or temperature.
Units can perform high suction lifts from containers located across plant and with peristaltic technology being reversible, units can have rotation switched for the recovery of fluids from pipework or dispensing heads, minimizing wastage.
- Accuracy
Peristaltic pump technology is not only 99% accurate, but as they utilize positive displacement technology when they stop there is no siphoning, or dribbling making them not only one of the safest designs of pump but also one of the most efficient designs for a process.
If you are looking to maintain an efficient liquid filling process, minimize wastage, or downtime, contact us to see how we can help. We will work with you to specify a low maintenance, heavy duty pump based on lowest lifetime cost for your liquid filling machine.
To see how we can help and see previous project examples visit www.northridgepumps.com, call 01773 302 660 or email sales@northridgepumps.com for assistance.
North Ridge Pumps
- 01773302660
- sales@northridgepumps.com
- http://www.northridgepumps.com
- North Ridge House 3 Chrysalis Way Eastwood Nottinghamshire NG16 3RY GB
About us
North Ridge Pumps are an independent manufacturer and distributor of pumps. Having been established since 1998, we have a vast array of experience having become accustomed to supplying pumps for most processes.
We work within a range of industries both UK and Internationally, specifying pumps for a wide variety of applications from the transfer of corrosive and aggressive chemicals, to dewatered sludge, viscous grease, resin, glues, food and Seawater.
Our pumps range from standard centrifugal and multistage pumps, to immersed and process overhung solid handling pumps. We also supply a wide range of positive displacement pumps including Vane, Piston, Progressing Cavity and Peristaltic enabling us to specify more than one solution for your application, but also ensuring the majority of applications remain within our reach.
We offer the following services:
Technical support – We know at times pump selection is difficult. Pump selections are made with confidence by technical sales engineers who understand your process, ensuring equipment is engineered beyond your needs.
To select the correct technical solution for your requirement, longevity of design is prioritised. If there are existing issues you need assistance with, we work with you to solve these which could be high maintenance costs, frequent service periods, repeated equipment breakdown leading to lost revenue, inconsistent flow rates, clogging or where pumped product is inconsistent.
Application experience – Due to our 20 years of application experience we work with you to ensure our pumps operate according to your desired application. Our experience means we have most likely provided a solution for a similar process previously. With proven results, we know how to achieve your outcome sooner.
As our pumps are completely configurable, we design pumps with materials according to your requirement, and to your required duty point. Pumps are engineered specifically for your process whether they be baseplate mounted, within a mobile frame or in kit form with couplings, hoses, and dispensing nozzle.
Industry knowledge – We have a thorough understanding of a range of industries through experience from supplying the offshore oil and gas market, to paper mills, chemical plants and food manufacturers to name a few.
We not only understand the importance of downtime but also what each process requires and how small design improvements specific to the nature of your industry and application can reduce downtime, facilitate maintenance and improve longevity.
If you have a process or application you require a pump for, or a process which requires improving, get in touch to see how we can help.
What we do in a nutshell
Pump Specification & Supply
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