Flow-Chemistry System Has Upgraded Pump Manifold

The Uniqsis Flowsyn flow-chemistry system has an upgraded pump manifold that continuously monitors each high-pressure reagent channel and alerts the user to any flow abnormalities. With the reagent manifold used in Flowsyn, the pump can be re-primed on the fly, so that the run can continue. Interlocks are provided so that if the error is not remedied within a specified period, the experiment is aborted.

If an error condition is detected in one pump channel, the other is automatically stopped simultaneously until the problem is dealt with. Improved automatic injection valves are also available for Flowsyn, with highly inert rotor seals and larger-diameter channels that allow sample loops to be filled more quickly and are less easily blocked.

These valves can be retrofitted to any Flowsyn unit with electrically operated injection valves. Vertical syringe ports mean that syringes can be left in place during a run to make re-priming easier.

The Flowsyn Continuous Flow Reactor integrates all the essential elements for continuous flow chemistry into a single package. Flowsyn is simple to set up and operate and offers safe, unattended operation for tasks such as synthesis, reaction optimisation and scale-up experiments, in quantities from milligrams to hundreds of grams.

Ingersoll Rand Business Releases UV Ink Pump

The Aro Fluid Technologies business of Ingersoll Rand Industrial Technologies has released an ultraviolet (UV) ink pump. As UV inks crystallise easily because of their chemistry formulation mixed with photo initiators, efficient UV ink transfer can be very difficult. Formulation and transfer are traditionally done manually.

As a solution, Ingersoll Rand teams have produced a pump that reduces operating costs in the chemical processing, printing and packaging industries, while allowing for the automation of UV ink and liquid transfers. For more than three years, Aro application and design professionals have been collaborating with several ink manufacturers to provide a reliable solution for transferring medium- to high-viscosity UV inks.

Research-and-development efforts have resulted in a piston pump package designed specifically to keep shear and thermal energy at a minimum, allowing for the successful transfer of cure-sensitive UV materials.

Verderflex Dura Pump Ensures Bubble-Free Printing

Peterson Packaging, a Danish printing company, has selected the Verderflex Dura peristaltic pump to gently handle water-based ink. Transferring ink from storage containers to the rollers on printing machines was proving problematic for Peterson. Air diaphragm pumps were originally responsible for the job, but had proved unable to handle the water-based ink gently enough.

As a result, bubbles formed in the ink, ruining the packaging, creating excess waste and adding expense. To resolve the problem, the company decided to look for a gentle-action pump to ensure bubble-free ink. The chosen design also needed to be both cost effective and sufficiently compact to fit into the limited space available. With the Verderflex Dura peristaltic pump, ink is completely contained within the pump's hose, which is compressed by a rotating roller.

On restitution of the hose, the resulting vacuum draws in more liquid, creating a gentle and accurate pumping process. The design eliminates any danger of cross contamination or spillage. The Verderflex Dura is claimed to provide a 70 per cent smaller footprint than similar pumps. This was an important attribute for Peterson, which required five pumps to fit in a tight space at the end of each print line. As well as overcoming space constraints, the Verderflex Dura pumps are now said to be delivering performance benefits for Peterson.

In addition to transferring bubble-free ink, the pumps are simple to clean and maintain. They can run dry without fear of damage and downtime is reduced as the only wearing part is the hose. Colour change is also quick and simple, according to the company. Peterson has now installed a total of 15 units into its printing process, according to the company's engineering manager.

Hitachi Introduces Microdrive Pump Sleep Mode Functionality

Hitachi America, Ltd., Industrial Systems Division, today announced the availability of Pump Sleep Mode functionality in its X200 And SJ200 Series Microdrives. The functionality is implemented utilizing only the inverter’s built-in PID control, logic and timing functions as a basis. Together with parameter settings, external jumper wiring is all that is required to realize the sleep mode operation.

Hitachi X200 Series AC Drives

• Contactor-style package (power in at top/motor out at bottom)
• Emergency stop function
• Improved trip avoidance
• Advanced logic and calculate functions
• Suitable for side-by-side mounting
• Patented micro-surge voltage suppression
• Non-stop operation after instantaneous power failure
• Built in RS-485 Modbus/RTU
• Ratings ¼ to 3 hp, 230 V, single or 3-phase; 5 to 10 hp, 230 V, 3-phase; ½ to 10 hp, 460 V, 3-phase

Hitachi SJ200 Series VFD Inverters

• New Intelligent Sensorless Vector Control - NO Autotuning Required!
• Up to 200% Starting Torque
• Most compact Hitachi inverter ever
• Advanced Logic and Calculate functions
• Removable terminal strips for easy wiring
• Dynamic Braking transistor built in
• Advanced trip avoidance functions
• Removable Keypad
• NEMA 4X Remote Keypad option
• MODBUS RTU RS-485 built in
• Ratings ¼ to 10hp, 230V, single and 3 phase, ½ to 10hp, 460V, 3 phase

Standard PID control may, depending on system demand, allow a pump to operate at undesirably low speeds for prolonged periods of time, which can cause mechanical issues with certain pump types. In general, it is a wasteful use of energy, since most pumps do not generate significant flow or head at low speeds. A means is needed to stop the pump when no pumping is actually taking place. The term “sleep mode” is used to describe such a means. The implementation requires no additional hardware beyond what is required for standard PID operation.

The simple set-up and wiring is described in an Application Note (AN080717-1) which is available to view or download in the Technical Support Library area of Hitachi America’s web site.

PK40 Pump Has No Seals, Glands Or Valves

Pump Engineering has announced that the Ponndorf PK40 compact double-head hose pump is now available. The Ponndorf PK40 high-pressure twin unit is capable of providing flows up to 15,000 litres/hr at pressures up to 15 bar. The versatile, self-priming, pumps offer the advantages of peristaltic pumping, which are particularly relevant to the food-processing and water-treatment industries. For example, shear-sensitive, delicate liquids or those containing solids remain unaffected by the pumping process.

The absence of seals, glands and valves reduces the likelihood of component failure and resulting downtime, sometimes associated with demanding pumping applications, such as those involving abrasives and other similar aggressive media. Cleaning and washing is also simplified because only the hose has contact with the process fluid, therefore quick and effective cleaning is achieved simply by flushing through the hose.

The pump is fully reversible and is supplied with a selection of hose materials including natural rubber, neoprene, hypalon, food-grade NBR and EPDM. This makes it ideal for transferring products such as sauces, yogurt, creams, pastes or metering/dosing suspended solids, for example, milk of lime dosing in water and effluent treatment applications.

Tapflo Presents Aseptic Diaphragm Pump

Tapflo has launched the first in a series of aseptic diaphragm pumps. The series will be available in three sizes for sterile applications, primarily in the pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and food industries. The Tapflo pump series is certified by the European Hygienic Engineering Design Group (EHEDG). The first to be launched is the smallest, with a maximum flow of 94 litres/min.

In order for a pump to be EHEDG-certified, it must not feature any internal horizontal surfaces. The reason for this is to prevent any liquid from remaining in the pump after it stops. The pumps are supplied on a platform that allows them to be rotated; this enables the pumps to be emptied and cleaned simply, without dismantling. All surfaces in the pump have a high surface finish, making them easy to clean.

The pumps are also ATEX-certified for use with inflammable liquids, and pump components are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), US Pharmacopeia (USPVI) and DTI, the Danish Technological Institute. The Tapflo aseptic series is made up of a minimum number of components, making the pumps reliable and easy to maintain. The series is mainly constructed from components used in the company's other diaphragm pumps.

This is easier for customers and distributors because existing spare parts and accessories fit the new pump series, and do not require any extra storage space; nor is any special training needed for installing and using the pumps. No electricity is required; the pumps are powered by compressed air or any suitable propellant. Pump capacity is adjusted by altering the air pressure, which makes it easy to adjust to the manufacturing process. Few moving parts contribute to long working life and reduce risk of breakdown in the process.