In our latest project, we were asked to supply a pair of pumps to feed an animal rendering plant which operated 24/7. They needed a reliable set of pumps which could operate in duty/standby mode and handle a 50/50 mixture of water and dry solids made up of dry meat, bone and tissue solids at around 350L/min at 2 bar which did not easily flow.
All industries create by-products that need to be reused, reprocessed or disposed of. Animal production creates similar challenges where high capacity solid transfer pumps help convert animal by-products from the meat and livestock industry into usable materials.
What was the project brief?
Our client was looking to pump a 50/50 mixture of water and dry solids consisting of dry meat, bone and tissue solids at around 350L/min at 2 bar.
The mixture had a viscosity of around 50,000cPs which is similar to ketchup or mustard. In addition, the formulation of the liquid and its consistency meant that it flows slowly so a pump with a built-in hopper was required.
Having a hopper built into the high capacity solid transfer pump ensures that the mixture doesn’t clog and the hopper pump is not damaged through either dry running, or having oversized solids clogging the inlet.
Rendering pump hoppers can be customised for a variety of liquids and applications. They act as a first stage in the process, feeding the pump with more manageable pieces and making sure that mixtures which don’t flow are fed into the pumping mechanism evenly.
Hoppers are available in a variety of designs:
Bridge breaker
These are used to slice large solids found into more manageable pieces which can be accommodated by the pump without processing. Fluids which rat hole, prevent free flow or obstruct pipework often need breaking up and kept moving via the use of paddles.
Rat holing is a common flow problem where material becomes stuck in the rendering pump hopper. Rat-holing causes a funnel flow effect, where the material flows freely above the outlet, but the material that isn’t directly above it doesn’t move and sticks to the hopper sides. If this material can’t be shifted it leads to product being wasted and more downtime as the hopper pump has to be cleaned more often.
Auger feed
An auger is a flat spiral-shaped screw that runs from one end of the hopper to the other, controlling the flow and mechanically forcing the material into the pump inlet. It’s specifically designed for dry solids and sludge which don’t flow freely and need feeding into the pump. It’s an essential part for this particular rendering plant application.
Motorised wheel
When materials such as liquid mortar, resins, mud, blocks of fat or butter are pumped they can plasticise meaning they change shape rather than break up. This means that clogs form and block the rendering pump inlet. These need to be removed manually, again, resulting in more downtime. Manufactured from metal, a motorised wheel rotates 360°within the hopper to stop solids building up and clumping together.
Fitted with a seal quench
We fitted the high capacity solid transfer pump with a seal quench which is a device that applies unpressurised oil to a mechanical seal's outboard faces to keep them clean and free from contamination. This helps to maintain seal integrity. This was important as the hopper pump would be handling large solids up to 41mm wide at high concentrations.
Rendering pump speed is another vitally important factor during the pumping of solids. So we designed the pump to have a reduced pumping speed of 130rpm using the gearbox. This meant that the unit would suffer less wear and tear, and give many years of problem-free pumping to the client.
If you’re looking to pump a liquid which doesn’t flow, contains large amounts of solids and easily solidifies, a hopper-fed progressing cavity pump could be the best solution for you.
To find out more, speak to North Ridge Pumps to see how we can help.
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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