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Peristaltic Pump Control Capabilities Help Precise Metering Of Water-based Buffer Agents
Fluids Handling

Peristaltic Pump Control Capabilities Help Precise Metering Of Water-based Buffer Agents

Photo of Watson Marlow Watson Marlow Send an email 08/11/2017
151 2 minutes read
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  • WMFTG has become an established supplier to Fidia Farmaceutici
  • Fidia leverages close pump control through analogue signal input
  • Pumpsil Platinum-cured silicone tubing offers fluid sterility

A leading European manufacturer of health products is benefiting from the control capabilities of peristaltic pumps from Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group (WMFTG).

The pumps are being used for the precise metering of water-based buffer agents such as hydrogen chloride (HCl) and glycerol, at one of its production facilities on the island of Sicily.

Established in 1946, Fidia Farmaceutici SpA is headquartered in Abano Terne near Padua, Italy. The company employs around 1000 people across all of its sites, one of which can be found at Noto near Syracuse, Sicily.

The Noto facility produces APIs (active pharmaceutical ingredients) for use in Fidia-branded medical devices, which is where Watson-Marlow pump technology plays a key role.

“WMFTG is an established supplier to Fidia and our experience of their products and service has always been positive, which is why we specified their peristaltic pumps again for this latest project,” states Christian Cuppari, who is responsible for the production unit in Noto. “In fact, Watson-Marlow is now the predominant pump type here at Noto.”

Fidia has 500 and 300 series models, supported by Pumpsil silicone tubing, to pump HCl and glycerol water-based buffer solutions.

“For reasons of cost and quality control we required pumps with high control capability, as well as the assurance of fluid sterility with the right type of tubing,” says Dr Cuppari.

A pump such as the 520U can be controlled from the keypad or remotely. It features analogue control whereby pump speed can be governed through an analogue signal input in the ranges of 0-10V or 4-20mA. The latter is preferred at Fidia, with the input signal generated by special fermenter control software for biocare applications.

With regard to fluid sterility, precision Pumpsil Platinum-cured silicone tubing plays a key role in biotechnology and pharmaceutical manufacturing processes around the world. It is manufactured in WMFTG’s ISO 14644-1 Class 7 clean room and is post-cured to improve the finished product.

Pumpsil is laser-etched end-to-end with part number, lot number and use-by-date, and has fully documented biocompatibility with a comprehensive validation pack.

“We are pumping buffer solutions and acid/alkaline solutions, typically across batch runs that last for around 36 hours,” concludes Dr Cuppari. “This is why we need reliable, close control in our chemical metering, and the pumps from WMFTG are proven in meeting these requirements.”

The 520 series pump has since been upgraded to the 530 series model – which features an enhanced operator and control system interface, and a bright colour display.

www.wmftg.com

Watson Marlow
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Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions

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

  • 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

Photo of Watson Marlow Watson Marlow Send an email 08/11/2017
151 2 minutes read
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