The trial of a new APEX35 hose pump from Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group at EEW Saarbrücken GmbH, a producer of energy from waste, has indicated the significant potential savings in pump maintenance costs.
Not only is the APEX35 pump able to run without clogging, for a much longer period when pumping abrasive brine at EEW, but downtime and the cost of replacement parts is reduced greatly.
- Trial sees APEX35 run longer than existing PC pump without maintenance
- Fewer parts to replace during maintenance operations, at much lower cost
- Maintenance routines far quicker
EEW Saarbrücken GmbH, MHKW Pirmasens operates a waste-heat power plant in Pirmasens, Germany. Each year the facility recycles around 180,000 tons of waste, generating around 75,000 MWh of electricity (enough for 20,000 households) as well as 25,000 MWh of district heating (enough for 2000 households). These figures also allow some 52 million litres of heating oil to be saved in energy production every year.
Abrasive slurry
Among the site’s operations is the separation of crystalline sodium chloride from its highly concentrated solution in the process water before disposal. Here, a special centrifuge is used as a thickener to separate the solution from the abrasive salt slurry (density 2.16 kg/l), which is called brine or ‘solebrei’.
EEW has been using a progressive cavity pump to feed the centrifuge (flooded suction, 1 bar back pressure), for approximately 1.5 hours every 3-4 hours in a 24/7 operation.
However, the abrasive nature of the brine demanded the repair of the pc pump stator or rotor every month, along with occasional replacement of the linings.
Furthermore, not only would it take a minimum of four hours to perform the repairs (using expensive replacement consumables), but the pump would also have to be removed from the process line.
Dissatisfied with the situation, plant engineers at EEW requested a trial of the new Bredel APEX35 hose pump. This model was selected because it was thought to offer the greatest potential maintenance savings in this abrasive handling, intermittent duty application. The results were nothing short of impressive.
Outstanding results
During the first six months of the trial, the APEX35 required no maintenance whatsoever. Additionally, as the only wear part in APEX pumps is the hose, this could be replaced quickly (20 minutes) and easily without removing it from the process line.
Considering that a replacement stator alone for the progressive cavity pump is thought to cost around €1500, the projected payback period for the APEX35 hose pump is extremely short. In addition, there is the saving in inventory as only the hose will need to be kept in stock.
When handling abrasive substances, a major advantage of hose pumps is that they have no costly wearing components like seals, valves, membranes, stators, rotors or glands to maintain.
Self-priming, dry running, and with no internal valves, hose pump technology also helps users improve their processes by eliminating troublesome ancillary items like anti-siphon valves, back-pressure valves, degassing valves or run-dry protection.
Consequently, APEX hose pumps are perfectly suited for handling difficult fluids – abrasive, corrosive, viscous, shear-sensitive, gaseous, crystallising, or even fluids with a combination of these properties.
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
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