Peristaltic pumps replace conventional impeller pumps for the transfer of egg white in glazing processes

Watson Marlow 10/03/2010

76 2 minutes read

Listen to this article

Having suffered repeated failures using conventional impeller pumps for the transfer of egg white in glazing processes operated at Cornish food manufacturer, Rowe’s the bakers the company turned to peristaltic pump technology from Watson-Marlow Pumps Group.

Originated in 1949 as a bakery in Falmouth, Rowe’s today comprises two production sites (both in excess of 20,000 sq ft), 17 retail outlets and more than 400 employees. As well as selling products such as pasties, savouries, sandwiches, cakes, breads, rolls and confectionary through its own stores, the company also supplies on a wholesale basis to virtually all the UK’s leading supermarkets.

Maintaining such a vibrant manufacturing enterprise presents a real challenge to engineers such as Phil Thomson, who is part of a team that helps ensure production is both continuous and efficient.

One particular recent problem on the pasty production line was causing the maintenance team more than a few headaches. Here, egg white is pumped into a glazing unit that is effectively a container with two integral spinners. The spinners create a mist that is allowed to fall and form a glaze on pasties passing below on a conveyor. Until recently, the company was using a conventional impeller pump for the task, but repeated failures and downtime became a growing cause for concern.

“The problem with an impeller pump is that it lacks a non-return valve, so if the process stops then the pump needs to be re-primed,” explains Mr Thomson. “Furthermore, because egg congeals, dedicated cleaning of both the pump and its connections is required. The escalating downtime meant ultimately that we had to find an alternative.”

Fortunately Rowe’s already had chemical dosing pumps from Watson-Marlow on site and so Mr Thomson was aware of the capabilities of peristaltic technology.

“I called Watson-Marlow and they explained what pumps would be suited to the application, finally recommending a 520 series process pump that they kindly supplied on loan for trial purposes.”

Described as the world’s fastest growing pump type, peristaltic pumps have no valves, seals or glands, and the fluid contacts only the bore of the hose or tube, eliminating the risk of the pump contaminating the fluid, or the fluid contaminating the pump.

Importantly for Rowe’s, Watson-Marlow pumps enable users to clean in-line at full velocity, without the intrusion of the bypass required by most other positive displacement pumps. The pump self-drains, has low-shear action and straight-through flow, and the tube is fully swept for superior hygienic performance. After a two-week trial at the company’s production facility in Falmouth, Rowe’s duly acquired the Watson-Marlow 520 series pump.

“While impeller pumps are cheaper, we could easily burn out four a year on a single production line,” says Mr Thomson. “If you add in the downtime and labour costs, peristaltic technology makes far more economic sense.”

As a further benefit, the peristaltic pump has also reduced the amount of foam caused previously by air entrapment in the impeller pump. Foam is classified as product waste and was being created at a rate of around 1 litre an hour.

“We couldn’t be more pleased with the peristaltic pump,” states Mr Thomson. “Considering all the costs we incurred with our impellor pumps I estimate that we will achieve payback on our investment within 12 months. In fact, we have just ordered a second pump for another glazing unit and hope to replace them all over the course of the coming two years.”

Contact Details About Us Latest News Latest Videos

Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions

01326370370
info@wmftg.co.uk
https://www.wmfts.com/
Bicklandwater Road, Falmouth Business Park, Falmouth, Cornwall, TR11 4RU GB

About us

Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group (WMFTG) peristaltic tube and hose pumps meet requirements including: value for money; low cost of ownership; reliability and ease of maintenance to the food and beverage, chemical, pharmaceutical, mining and many other industries.

We demonstrate how pumps deliver significant process efficiencies over the lifetime of the equipment. Whether performing flavouring addition in food processing, chemical metering in water treatment or mineral recovery, we have a solution which can cut pump downtime and reduce costs through higher accuracy metering and transfer. WMFTG has dedicated application engineers available to help customers make the right pump and tubing choice from a range providing microlitres per minute to 80 cubic metres per hour flow rates.

The only part of the pump to come into contact with the product is the tube or hose. This means there are no seals or valves that can wear or fail. Replacing the tube or hose can be performed quickly and safely. Peristaltic pump benefits include:

Total fluid containment with no seals No ancillaries Handle viscous and abrasive slurries and sludge Self-priming capability Dry running without damage to the pump In addition to their range of positive displacement pumps, Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group has added PTFE-lined chemical and industrial hoses to their range. Aflex hoses are reinforced to withstand the most severe conditions and use.

Where we supply to

Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, South America, North America

Industries we supply to

Automation, Chemicals, Consultants, Components Electronics, Energy and Power, Food and Beverage, Glass Ceramics Cement, Metals and Minerals, OEM, Paper and Pulp, Pharmaceutical Cosmetics Toiletries, Plastics and Rubber, Recycling, Textiles, Tobacco, Water and Wastewater

Watson-Marlow to showcase Bredel CIP pump and next-generation fluid handling at PPMA 2025

Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions (WMFTS) will unveil the latest Bredel CIP pump and its portfolio of next-generation fluid management technologies...
Watson-Marlow launches new Bredel CIP pump for beverage producers at drinktec

Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions (WMFTS) is launching its latest innovation for the brew and beverage market; the Bredel CIP pump,...
Bredel Hose Pump Solves Ash Slurry Problem at Biomass Plant

A Bredel 100 hose pump with an NR Transfer hose has been installed at a biomass power station in Pécs,...
Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions introduces WMArchitect Interchangeable Parts for robust single-use assemblies

Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions (WMFTS) has introduced WMArchitect Interchangeable Parts to improve the longevity of single-use assemblies. The introduction brings...
Watson-Marlow to Exhibit Peristaltic Pump and Fluid Path Technologies in London Biotechnology Show Debut

Watson-Marlow to Exhibit Peristaltic Pump and Fluid Path Technologies in London Biotechnology Show Debut Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions (WMFTS) will...
German Waste-to-Energy Plant Prolongs Hose Life Using Bredel NR Transfer Hoses

Abfallverbrennungs- und Biokompost GmbH (AVBKG), the German waste processing plant, has achieved significant hose maintenance and hose life savings. Based...