In the world of industrial processing—specifically in the food and pharmaceutical fields—glucose is a highly versatile and key ingredient. It is a compound that can take many forms and successfully fill many roles for the manufacturer. For example:
• Liquid glucose is a perfect substitute for cane sugar in the manufacture of ice cream because it is not susceptible to crystallisation, leading to a smoother texture.
• Large amounts of glucose are used in commercial bakeries for pie and cream filling because it keeps the finished products soft, while also providing the required sweetness level.
• Glucose is also a key ingredient in the manufacture of household syrup, honey-like products and various confectionaries.
• In the pharmaceutical field, liquid glucose is mixed with maltose (a sugar produced by the breakdown of starch) and Maltodextrin (a thickening agent made from starch) and used in the manufacture of a variety of syrups, antacid suspensions and other mixtures. It provides body and consistency to the product being made.
But while glucose has rightfully earned its reputation as an indispensable substance in the manufacture of many unique products, it can be difficult to handle and requires transfer equipment, i.e. pumps, that can tackle the challenges it presents. Glucose is very abrasive, which puts pumps under a lot of stress and can lead to premature wearing, breakdown and excessive maintenance costs. Glucose is also a fast drying substance, which can have an adverse affect on the face of a pump’s mechanical seal. The varying viscosity and tackiness of glucose also requires a pump that is nimble enough to handle substances with different thicknesses.
In the past, manufacturers have used progressive cavity pumps and rotary lobe pumps for the transfer of glucose from batch, stock and storage tanks to mixing and process tanks during the production process. These technologies have been proven ineffective for a number of reasons, mainly the leaking mechanical seals that lead to product loss, unsanitary/unsafe working conditions and expensive repair or maintenance costs.
The Solution
The problems inherent in the handling and pumping of glucose have been identified, but the question remains: What’s the solution?
For manufacturers of foods and pharmaceuticals that use glucose at some point throughout the process, a technology that continues to prove itself again and again is the Eccentric Disc Pump.
Eccentric disc pumps meet the operational parameters needed in the handling of glucose because they have been designed to efficiently provide consistent and repeatable flow with low shear. Eccentric disc technology consists of a stationary cylinder and disc that are mounted to an eccentric shaft. As the eccentric shaft is rotated, the disc forms chambers within the cylinder, which increase at the suction port and decrease at the discharge port. During operation, the discharge pressure exerts itself against the eccentric disc, preventing it from slipping. This low slip between the disc and cylinder gives eccentric disc pumps the ability to self-prime and line strip. Taken all together, this pumping principle allows for the gentle transfer of fluids from suction to discharge, with very low agitation and shear, which are prime considerations when handling glucose.
More specifically, the seal-free construction of certain leading eccentric disc pump technology eliminates the presence of mechanical seals, which are standard features on lobe and cavity pumps, making them susceptible to dangerous and ongoing product leaks. This seal-free technology ensures a consistently clean and safe working environment, zero product loss and no need for drip trays.
Another major benefit offered by eccentric disc pumps in the handling of glucose is their clean-in-place/sanitise-in place capabilities. As mentioned, the viscosity of glucose can vary quite a bit, while its stickiness can make it hard to remove from pump surfaces, meaning that the pumps need to be maintained on a regular schedule. That’s where CIP/SIP comes in.
Eccentric disc’s CIP/SIP technology allows the pump to be completely drained, flushed and cleaned without disassembly. Since the pump does not need to be bypassed during the CIP/SIP process, it experiences no loss of performance due to vertical drain porting. When cleaning, pressure is introduced to the back of the eccentric disc through the pump chamber. When the flush pressure overcomes the spring, the disc moves away from the cylinder, allowing the cleaning solution to pass through the pumping chamber. This type of pump can then be self-cleaned or cleaned by an external circulation pump.
Some of the leading designs for eccentric disc pumps that are widely used in various industries today were developed by Auxerre, France-based Mouvex®. Incorporated in 1906, Mouvex is a leading manufacturer of positive-displacement eccentric disc pumps for use in the transfer of liquids or dry-bulk products. In April 2008, Mouvex became a member of the Pump Solutions Group (PSG™), Redlands, CA, a conglomeration of six of the world’s leading pump manufacturers and an operating company within the Dover Corporation, New York, NY.
H-Flo Series
An example of an eccentric disc pump that has been a success in recent years is the Mouvex H-Flo.
H-FLO Seal-Less Eccentric Disc Pumps have been designed for use in a wide range of pumping applications in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, all of which require extremely hygienic operations. The H-FLO pump delivers high suction vacuum and high discharge pressure that allow it to self-prime and fully strip lines, a critical consideration when maximising product recovery.
- Provides consistent and efficient flow with a wide range of viscosities
- Flow rate up to 70 m3/h (308 gpm), 10 bar (145 psi)
- Eccentric disc design allows for consistent flow to protect shear sensitive products
- Reduced Maintenance with no mechanical seals or timing gears
- Easy to install
- Clean in-place (CIP) and sterilise in place (SIP) for the ultimate in convenience and cleanliness
• European Hygienic Engineering & Design Group: EHEDG was formed in 1989 and is a consortium of equipment manufacturers, food industries, research institutes and public health authorities with the aim of promoting hygiene during processing and packaging of food products.
• CE: The CE marking certifies that a product has met European Union consumer health, safety or environmental requirements.
• Ex: The Ex mark shows that equipment, protective systems or components comply with European standards for explosive protection equipment.
• 3A: 3A certification enhances product safety and ensures that all product surfaces can be mechanically cleaned or easily dismantled for manual cleaning.
• TUV: TUV certification involves rigorous testing for the applications for which the component is designed. It includes verification that the device satisfies the strictest European regulations for the industry and ensures that component specifications are stated correctly.
SLS Series
In addition, Mouvex also has the SLS-Series of eccentric disc pumps. The SLS-Series pumps have been designed to self-compensate for mechanical wear, giving them the ability to maintain consistent flow over time. This results in high-volume efficiency combined with a gentle fluid-handling nature. Other design features of the SLS-Series are similar to those found in the H-Flo-Series: seal-less construction; self-priming, dry-run and line-stripping capabilities; and CIP/SIP operation. All of this makes the SLS-Series an important part of the Mouvex next generation of eccentric disc pumps that are ideal for glucose-transfer applications.
Conclusion
Leading food and pharmaceutical manufacturers know that the versatility of glucose makes it a pivotal component in the production of a wide number of products. And with the challenges the handling of glucose can present, more and more of these manufacturers are doing the wise thing and turning to eccentric disc pump technology from Mouvex to conquer these challenges.
When looking for the pumping technology that offers the best in operation, reliability and efficiency when handling glucose, look no further than eccentric disc technology from Mouvex. H-Flo & SLS Series pumps are ideal for glucose-handling in food and pharmaceutical applications because:
• Seal-free design means leak-free design
• Ability to pump low- and high-viscosity products means output is not affected by viscosity variations, while volumetric efficiency is maintained
• Low linear speed means low pulsation affect
• Self-priming capability means the ability to completely clear pipes and lines and the ability to run dry.
Would you like to know more?
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