A global leader in the manufacture and processing of colour pigments has switched from progressive cavity pumps to the latest peristaltic technology from Watson-Marlow. Not only have the new pumps eliminated expensive repairs and downtime, they have reduced ongoing labour and maintenance requirements dramatically.
Stoke-on-Trent based Rockwood Pigments UK Ltd is a primary manufacturer of liquid, powder and granulated colour pigments used by manufacturers of coatings, plastics, rubber, paper, vinyl, concrete, cosmetics, ink and many other industrial products. Until recently the company used progressive cavity pumps for transferring cadmium sulphide slurry to its filter presses for dewatering. In slurry form cadmium is mildly abrasive, a factor that caused the repeated failure of seals and glands within the progressive cavity pumps.
“The leaks caused by the cadmium pigment slurry were a constant source of disruption and cost to our manufacturing process,” explains Phil Tansley, operations manager at Rockwood Pigments. “Of course, the leaks also meant we were losing product, adding to our costs further, while cadmium is also toxic and is subject to strict health, safety and environmental controls in the workplace.”
Initially Rockwood Pigments tried switching to progressive cavity pumps featuring water flush to remove cadmium residues after each process. However, this failed to reduce the level of leaks significantly and also introduced the need to drain water from the system.
Mr Tansley initially encountered Watson-Marlow technology at the company’s headquarters in the US, where peristaltic pumps are used very effectively for iron oxide transfer duties.
“In the US the pumps run maintenance-free, with the hoses replaced only once every 4-5 years,” he says. “This fact sold me on peristaltic technology and so I decided it might be worthwhile applying the pumps to cadmium-based duties here in the UK.”
Mr Tansley purchased a single Bredel SPX65 high pressure peristaltic hose pump from Watson-Marlow, a model that can displace up to 6.7 litres per rev, with an operating speed of up to 50 rpm continuous or 90 rpm intermittent. Crucially for Rockwood Pigments, peristaltic pumps have no seals, glands or valves, and the fluid only contacts the bore of the hose or tube.
“Obviously the most important factor for us is that peristaltic pumps are liquid-tight and have no seals,” says Mr Tansley. “The success of the initial Bredel SPX65 led to the acquisition of a further four identical models that have replaced our original progressive cavity pumps for transferring cadmium pigment slurry to the filter presses. Since installation we have eliminated leaks and witnessed a 10% yield gain by product volume. Furthermore, where we previously required an operator in almost constant attendance, we can now walk away and leave the pumps to run unmonitored.”
Other benefits described by Mr Tansley include reduced maintenance and far less burden on the company’s effluent plant as there are no residue slurries to wash away. This is because the new system installed at Rockwood Pigments features an automated wash-water flush applied by the peristaltic pumps.
“Press cake washing is a crucial step in our process as it removes all of the soluble or free cadmium left in the press cakes,” he says. “Overall the switch to peristaltic pumps has been a great success and while we are looking forward to a rapid return on our investment; ultimately we have created a safer, cleaner working environment for our employees.”
Today Rockwood Pigments has around 80 members of staff at its Stoke-on-Trent facility. The company is part of the Rockwood Specialties Group Inc, which has a worldwide employee base of approximately 10,000 people and revenue of around $2.5 billion.
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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