APEX10 Hose Pump Technology Replaces Progressive Cavity (PC) Pump At Paper mill

Watson Marlow 30/07/2014

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The Beetham, Cumbria plant of BillerudKorsnäs has replaced a progressive cavity (PC) pump with APEX10 hose pump technology from Watson-Marlow Pumps Group on an application dosing abrasive pigment in kraft paper manufacture. The move has solved the problem of stator and rotor wear on the PC pump that was leading to a drop in performance; downtime; and the need for regular maintenance

Abrasive pigment

At Beetham, kraft paper is produced in quantities of circa 34,000 tonnes a year across three shifts using 140 employees. In an application involving the dosing of pigment into paper stock, the plant was experiencing difficulty with its PC pump.

“We put the pigment into the stock preparation end of the paper machine to introduce a colour shade to certain grades,” explains Engineering Manager Tony Halhead. “We dose very low, precise volumes as the shade is critical. However, the abrasive nature of the pigment was causing the stators and rotors in our 1” PC pump to wear, leading to a drop in performance.”

As a result, the engineering team at Beetham would have to speed up the three-phase inverter in the control box to maintain flow rates at the required levels causing even faster wearing.

However, if the drop in performance went unnoticed, it could lead to a variation in shade and rejected paper. On a long production run this could be very expensive.

“We were experiencing dips in performance on a regular basis so we decided to address the situation, particularly when also considering the downtime and maintenance issues,” says Mr Halhead. “Other Watson-Marlow pumps were being used on site successfully so we thought they would be a natural first port of call.”

Uptime and continuity

Watson-Marlow recommended the use of an APEX10 hose pump. APEX pumps are engineered for maximum uptime and process continuity.

Through design attributes such as heat dissipation, precision machined hose elements and optimised hose compression, APEX pumps reduce hose element fatigue compared to other hose pumps and when a hose replacement is required, this is a quick task which can be carried out in situ by maintenance staff.

The benefit for APEX users such BillerudKorsnäs is reduced maintenance intervals, leading to decreased cost of ownership. Operating and inventory costs are also less, as a singlehose element is all that needs to be replaced.

BillerudKorsnäsinstalled two APEX10 models in February 2014, one duty and one standby. The pumps are fixed to a mobile skid and piped with valves to speed changeover.

Offering a 14 rpm, 0.18kW motor suitable for VSD control, the flow rate is 25-30 litre/hr when using a green pigment, and 10-15 litre/hr for a blue pigment.

The pumps are flooded suction (600mm head into pump via 2.5 metres of 1/2″ flexi hose). Discharge is via 18 metres of 1/2″ flexi hose inclusive of an 8.5 metre lift into the paper stock tank.

Reliable performance

“Since installation the APEX10 pumps have been running reliably in a 24/7 operation,” says Mr Halhead. “We are now considering the replacement of other PC pumps on site with APEX models.”

BillerudKorsnäs is a 4300-employee strong manufacturer of primary fibre-based packaging materials, working with over 1500 customers in over 100 countries.

The company has eight production facilities, seven of which are in Scandinavia, and one in the UK, at Beetham.The specialty here is the manufacture of sterilised packaging paper for medical applications.

www.wmpg.com

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Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions

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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.

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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

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