Valves, Actuators & Pump Control


King-size acid pump from Richter

December 2014 Valves, Actuators & Pump Control

Leading manufacturer of chemical process pumps, Richter, has extended its product range of centrifugal pumps for conveying corrosive, aggressive, hazardous or contaminated chemicals such as acetic acid.

The use of emission-free pumps is mandatory for many applications in the chemical industry. This was the case in a plant at the Burghausen site of Wacker Chemie. But which leak-free alternative should be selected? The team under Richard Losbichler, head of the service centre for machines and pumps, is best qualified to answer such questions. “In the pump centre employees advise our colleagues on the procurement of continuous flow machines i.e. pumps, compressors and ventilators. In the service centre we maintain these units. These workers are therefore the best judges as they know the specific strengths and weaknesses of the products offered on the market.”

In this case the in-house contract awarder was the engineering department of the acetyls supply chain division. “We look after the basic material plants of the polymers division in Burghausen, maintain the technical equipment and perform optimisation tasks so that the plants run for as long and as well as possible. And we ensure that the environmental protection requirements are observed,” says plant maintenance manager, Gerhard Bauer.

The acetyls production unit is an important supplier of raw materials within the Wacker Group. Starting with ethylene, the division produces acetaldehyde and, in another oxidation stage, formic acid which is then further processed into vinyl acetate and ketene. The pumps in question convey a highly corrosive fluid consisting of acetic acid, formic acid and acetaldehyde in a temperature range of between 50 and 80°C.

Emissions free is not enough

In principle, double acting mechanical seal systems, canned motor pumps and metallic or plastic lined magnetic drive pumps are available as emission free technologies. In this particular application however, the selection options were limited as Losbichler explains: “Metallic pumps have problems with crevice corrosion when conveying acetic acid at elevated temperatures. In the case of double mechanical seals major problems arise on the shaft sleeve, with metallic magnetic drive pumps crevice corrosion can be expected on the separating can itself and in other areas of the pump.”

A magnetic drive pump lined with fluoro-plastic was seen as an obvious solution, but such a pump was not previously available on the market with the required flow rate. Therefore, metallic magnetic drive pumps were installed despite the known risks of corrosion, relatively high running costs as well as the maintenance and repair outlays at intervals of six and 12 months.

And so it suited Losbichler and his team when Richter developed a suitably high-performance magnetic drive pump lined with fluoro-plastic. “We have gained good experience with PFA and PTFE-lined MNK pumps with similarly aggressive media. We are therefore assuming that such a pump will have a considerably longer service life than the pumps previously used.”

Series for highly corrosive media

Richter Chemie-Technik is a pioneer in this field and as far back as 1983 presented the first magnetic drive centrifugal pump lined with fluoro-plastic, the MCK series. This developed into the MNK series: all components which come into contact with the medium either have a thick PFA fluoro-plastic lining; are made of solid PTFE fluoro-plastic or are made of sintered silicon carbide.

The concept was convincing and the MNK was rapidly accepted in the market after its launch. At Wacker Chemie 750 Richter pumps are now in operation. In addition to the aspects of robustness and reliability, the exchangeability of components among the different sizes is also an important advantage of this series. Today, the MNK is a recognised alternative to magnetic drive pumps made of special metals such as Hastelloy, Alloy20, tantalum and nickel. The reasons are that it is cheaper to procure, generates no eddy-current losses and the delivery time for the pump and spare parts is only four to eight weeks.

According to Losbichler and Bauer, the pumps have been operating without any problems and the expected life cycle cost savings are estimated at 70% or more.

For more information please contact Fred Venter, Valve & Automation, +27(0) 11 397 2833, [email protected], www.valve.co.za



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Compact valve position indicator
Emerson Automation Solutions Valves, Actuators & Pump Control
Emerson’s new TopWorx DVR Switchbox is an entry-level addition to the DV Series of valve position indicators. It combines a durable resin enclosure, compact size, and a patented cam design that provides a reliable valve position feedback for water and wastewater systems, food and beverage production lines, and industrial utilities.

Read more...
Precision, control and performance in regulators and control valves
Valve & Automation Valves, Actuators & Pump Control
Cashco has long been a trusted name in industrial control solutions, offering a broad range of regulators and control valves designed to meet the rigorous demands of various industries. There are two key Cashco product lines, its regulators and the Ranger QCT control valve.

Read more...
Advanced solutions for valves
Bearing Man Group t/a BMG Valves, Actuators & Pump Control
BMG delivers state-of-the-art valve solutions to diverse industries across Africa, in collaboration with InterApp, a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-quality valves.

Read more...
ENERGYValves expands operations
Valves, Actuators & Pump Control
ENERGYValves is expanding its operations with a new facility in Cape Town. The new premises will significantly enhance the company’s capacity to serve the Cape Town market and surrounding areas.

Read more...
Revolutionising slurry management in mining operations
Valves, Actuators & Pump Control
Dynamic Fluid Control has launched the Vent-O-Mat Slurry Air Release Valve, designed to set new standards in performance and technology for the mining industry.

Read more...
Inspection system for leak detection in valves in hazardous areas
Extech Safety Systems Valves, Actuators & Pump Control
Leaking valves in industrial plants not only lead to loss, safety risks and possible contamination and pollution, but also result in high economic costs. Therefore, valves in hazardous areas require regular proper inspection and preventive maintenance to ensure their functionality.

Read more...
Valve & Automation is exclusive agent for Cashco
Valve & Automation News
Valve specialist, Valve & Automation, supplies total valve and control solutions to key process industries throughout southern Africa. The company has now been appointed as the exclusive agent for US company, Cashco for the supply of control valves, regulators, tank equipment and flame arrestors.

Read more...
High-flow solenoid valve
Emerson Automation Solutions Valves, Actuators & Pump Control
Emerson has introduced the new ASCO Series 327C solenoid valve, which features a direct-acting, high-flow design that provides superior flow-to-power ratio. It permits high flows at minimum power levels, making it ideal for use in power plants, refineries, and chemical processing facilities.

Read more...
New system improves performance of magnetic drive pumps
Valves, Actuators & Pump Control
KSB Pumps and Valves has introduced its ground-breaking MagnoProtect system for the local petrochemical, chemical and general industry markets ,to enhance the safety and performance of its magnetic drive pumps.

Read more...
Emerson software optimises maintenance
Emerson Automation Solutions Valves, Actuators & Pump Control
Emerson has announced the Plantweb Insight Valve Health Application, a powerful software tool that combines Fisher control valve expertise with advanced analytic algorithms. The new app makes it possible for users to visualise an entire connected fleet of valves, while prioritising actions based on the health index of each valve.

Read more...