San Diego-based Sapphire Energy, the pioneer of an entirely new industry – Green Crude production – is taking advantage of the unique benefits of Bredel hose pump technology from Watson-Marlow Pumps Group. Sapphire is using a Bredel 2100 for the shear sensitive transfer of algae used in an innovative fuel production process which offers the potential to transform America’s energy and petrochemical landscape.
Backed by $100 million of government funding, in August 2012 Sapphire Energy opened its state-of-the-art Green Crude farm in Columbus, New Mexico. To help facilitate this integrated algal bio-refinery, the company required a suitable pump to transfer shear sensitive algae between various sizes of growth/grow-out ponds.
After careful market consideration, Sapphire opted for a Bredel 2100 high performance hose pump from Watson-Marlow Pumps Group. The pump’s versatility to handle variable flow regardless of pressure, simplified the decision.
Also in the pump”s favour was its robust design – regarded essential in a dry desert area where it is 46°C in summer with dirt circulating in winds that can exceed 50 mph.
According to Sapphire, the decision to adopt the Bredel hose pump has been instrumental in helping the company make the leap from pilot plant to true farm pond commercial production.
Twin pump heads
Essential to the application, Sapphire required a pump with high flow potential. Offering 100% positive flow rates up to 108,000 litres per hour, the Bredel 2100 is a duplex model featuring twin 100mm pump heads with common suction and discharge manifolds, mounted to a single gearbox and motor.
Also of high importance was the need to operate from a portable platform. With this in mind, Watson-Marlow engineers customised the pump so it could be mounted on a trailer bed, allowing it to move from pond to pond. A diesel engine is used to power the duplex pump/gearbox, which runs at 1200-1500 rpm.
There are many other advantages to using Bredel 2100 series hose pumps, such as discharge pressure up to 16 bar and suction pressure 8.5 metre lift to 2 bar.
Furthermore, the fluid being pumped does not contact mechanical parts or seals. The only wearing part is the hose, which can be quickly and easily replaced without dismantling the pump, thus supporting low cost maintenance and short downtime requirements.
Big-name backing
Sapphire Energy is backed by a team of leading US researchers, scientists and blue-ribbon investors, including Cascade Investment, an investment holding company owned by Bill Gates. Sapphire has already produced fungible, drop-in transportation fuels, including 91 octane gasoline, 89 cetane diesel, and jet fuel, all out of algae, sunlight and CO2.
The Green Crude produced by Sapphire differs significantly from other forms of biofuel because it is made solely from photosynthetic micro-organisms (algae and cyano-bacteria), using sunlight and CO2 as its feedstock.
It is not dependent on food crops or valuable farmland, does not use potable water and does not result in bio-diesel or ethanol. What”s more, Green Crude enhances and replaces petroleum-based products, is compatible with existing infrastructure and is low carbon, renewable and scalable.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Heather Beale
Publicity Manager
WATSON-MARLOW PUMPS GROUP
t: 01326 370370
e: heatherbeale@watson-marlow.co.uk
w: www.wmpg.co.uk
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...
-
Flexicon PF7 tabletop peristaltic liquid filling machine
-
Sterile ReNu SU Technology cartridge
-
Quantum and ReNu SU Technology cartridge - Make sterile connections in non-sterile environments
