Burkert contributes to more efficient fluid control system

The initial contact with Burkert came through the need for a replacement flowmeter, and the discussion soon turned to the application itself and additional improvements that could be made. The concept included the addition of batch controllers, fluid control valves and level sensors, all of which would improve productivity and reduce waste.

Richard Bolton, Operations Manager at Kemet International, comments: "This project has been developed using Burkert's expertise with the aim of improving productivity and efficiency. The final installation has achieved this and also helped us with our company goals of reducing waste and minimising energy usage."

The first objective was to reduce the time taken to fill a storage tank and to add a control circuit that would automatically stop the pump when the tank was full. By installing a larger capacity pump and new pipework, the filling time was reduced by 75 per cent. The addition of a Type 8110 tuning fork level switch gave the necessary signal to the pump to prevent overfilling.

In conjunction with this, a new batch control system was designed and manufactured by Burkert that would allow several pre-set batch sizes from 450 ml to 25 litres to be produced automatically. The system used a paddlewheel flowmeter and an angle seat control valve directly connected to the electronic control module to provide a simple, inline batch control installation.

A second batch control system of a similar design was also installed, but this time the batch sizes were much smaller so the pump and associated pipework were sized accordingly. Both systems incorporated the Type 8025 batch controller, which can accommodate seven batch sizes and has a built-in automated calibration process.

Reduced energy consumption

In each case the pumps were connected to the batch control panel to allow them to be directly controlled by the batch process. In this way the pumps only operate when necessary, reducing energy consumption and prolonging the service life of the pump.

The final part of the project was installed for the production of de-ionised water and involved the supply of a new 1200 litre tank, along with a pump and the installation of all the pipework to allow several batching points to be supplied at once via a manual ball valve.

The new pump has an improved delivery capacity and throughput has increased by 70 per cent. It is designed to provide a pressurised supply to four outlets. When demand is low the water is recirculated back to the storage tank via a bypass valve. The installation includes a digital flowmeter, located downstream of the pump, that also acts as a totaliser to record the amount of de-ionised water produced each day.

Richard concludes: "The final installation has delivered exactly the improvements we were specified and were promised, which will certainly improve productivity. The project has run very smoothly and Brkert will continue to provide on-going field support."

Go to www.burkert.co.uk for more information.