Double Diaphragm Pump Offering In-line Maintenance
Zotefoams PLC manufacture a range of closed cell crosslinked polyolefin foams using a unique, environmentally friendly, nitrogen expansion process.
Switching from traditional designed double diaphragm pumps to the 'One Nut' fast maintenance double diaphragm pumps from Flotronic Pumps has saved them literally hours in maintenance times!
Based in Croydon, Surrey, Zotefoams have been developing foam products since 1936. As part of the manufacturing process, the polyethylene blanks are coated with talcum powder. This talcum powder is sprayed on in liquid form and is transferred from the mixing vessels by two Slimline 316 Stainless Steel Air-Operated Double-Diaphragm pumps from FPL.
The viscosity of the mixture is around 500 cp and the pumps have a flooded suction and discharge is through 1" pipe 4 metres vertical and 20 metres horizontal.
The liquid is pumped to spray guns, which need a constant backpressure to maintain a consistent spray pattern. Zotefoams like the simplicity of the 'One-Nut' pumps which are so much easier to strip and rebuild.
Previous pumps could take almost a day to overhaul, whereas the Flotronic AODP take less than an hour, including a complete wash down!
They are also more robust and Zotefoams like the self draining feature since talcum powder can easily settle out of suspension if left in the pumps.
If self draining is critical then the Slimline pump is ideally suited because it is machined from solid 316 Stainless Steel, with no welds and designed to be self draining, which reduces product residue. They incorporate all the unique benefits of the 'One Nut' fast maintenance design, thus enabling diaphragm changes in less than 10 minutes.
PROCESS DETAILS
- Liquid Talcum powder
- Flooded suction
- Discharge 20 Metres 1" pipe
- Viscosity 500 cps
PUMP DETAILS
- 1" Slimline 316 Stainless Steel pump
- PTFE elastomers
- BSP connections
