Hydra-Cell sealless pumps, which are now available through Michael Smith Engineers, are said to be particularly effective for cleaning applications and are suitable for handling recycled fluids or fluids containing particulates. These high-pressure, positive-displacement pumps incorporate hydraulically balanced diaphragms and have no rotating seals. In contrast, pump types that incorporate seals are far less effective on these duties, as their seals can be destroyed by particulates as small as 25 microns.
Cleaning is an essential requirement in many industries and, as water becomes less available and solvents typically used in cleaning applications become more expensive, recycling becomes a cost- and energy-efficient alternative. Also, to conserve energy, the use of more aggressive and effective cleaning fluids is increasing, which results in reduced volumes being pumped. Furthermore, in order to reduce the volume of fluids required, today's cleaning systems typically operate at higher pressures with lower flows to ensure that effective cleaning is maintained. These factors make the choice of the right pumping technology even more critical.
According to Michael Smith Engineers, Hydra-Cell pumps are 'simply built to last', operating with minimal stress thanks to important design features. The pump drive shaft is rigidly held in the pump housing by a large tapered roller bearing that is immersed in a lubricating oil bath, and a fixed-angle cam translates rotary motion into linear motion to the hydraulic cells, which displace the diaphragms via pressurised oil. This arrangement results in hydraulically balanced diaphragms, so stress is eliminated. In turn, this greatly extends the period between planned servicing and can offer the operator savings in maintenance costs and reduces the frequency and likelihood of unplanned, costly downtime.
The pumps cover a wide range of flow rates from 0.4 l/min up to 128 l/min and pressures up to 172bar, providing repeatable and accurate output. Hydra-Cell pumps can handle dirty liquids and liquids with particulates, they are sealless by design, leak-free and, being self priming, they can be run dry, making them suitable for cleaning applications. Hydra-Cell pumps are also very energy-efficient, offering operators considerable savings in running costs when compared to traditional multi-stage rotary pumps.
As well as cleaning duties, Hydra-Cell pumps can handle a wide spectrum of industrial and commercial fluids across numerous applications including: food processing CIP, machine tool cooling, reverse osmosis and separation, spray drying and abrasives, paper mill applications, and oil production and refining.