Product category:
Pumps, Vacuum pumps
News Release from: Watson-Marlow Bredel Pumps | Subject: 520UN/R2
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 07 September 2005
Peristaltic pumps for amino-acid
analysers
Some substances are simply too aggressive for 'traditional' pumps, attacking the mechanical component parts and inevitably causing duty fluid contamination and potential premature pump failure
Some substances are simply too aggressive for 'traditional' pumps, attacking the mechanical component parts and inevitably causing duty fluid contamination and potential premature pump failure Cambridge-based Biochrom has first hand experience of this very eventuality, which is why the company is now an avid user of non-contact peristaltic pumping technology supplied by Watson-Marlow
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 10 Jun 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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A principal product manufactured by Biochrom, a GBP10 million turnover, 60-employee company, is its range of amino acid analysers for the clinical, pharmaceutical, proteomic, food and feedstuff industries.
Biochrom had been using a conventional geared pump to transfer methyl diglycol (also known as diethylene glycol) from one 25-litre container to another via a filter.
Unfortunately the aggressive nature of the product attacked the metal components of the pump, which in turn contaminated the duty fluid.
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Methyl diglycol is a solvent used in a chemical reagent called ninhydrin, which is employed by Biochrom within its amino acid analysers to stain proteins and hence identify amino acids, which are the basic structural building blocks of proteins.
Ninhydrin detection technology is probably best known for its use in cash containers collected by security companies from banks and other financial establishments.
If the container is stolen and forced open, a controlled explosion ensures that ninhydrin permanently stains the thief's skin.
"We had come across Watson-Marlow before," explains the Biochrom manufacturing director, Tony Neale.
"We knew they had a good reputation so we decided to approach them for the loan of a peristaltic pump on a trial basis".
In peristaltic pumps, liquid is drawn into a tube and pushed through by the action of rollers squeezing and releasing the tube.
Because nothing but the tube is ever in contact with the fluid, there is no risk of the fluid contaminating the pump, or of the pump contaminating the fluid, which is the principal benefit to Biochrom.
The design also prevents backflow, so eliminating the need for check valves when the pump is not running.
Accuracy of the delivered volume and flow rate are parameters that can be fully tailored through the size of the pump, the speed of the rotating rollers and the tube diameter.
Following a brief trial period, Biocrom purchased the Watson-Marlow 520UN/R2 IP66 rated peristaltic pump earlier this year.
The pump can produce flow rates of 3.5 litres/min at pressures up to 2 bar.
It also accepts analogue auto and manual control.
Compared with other positive displacement pumps, peristaltic pumps win on every count.
They handle difficult fluids and suspended solids with ease, and provide precision dosing and metering without gas locking or crystallisation problems.
Cleaning and maintenance tasks are quick and easy.
They self-prime, can run dry and have no valves or seals to leak, corrode or clog.
"Since installation here at Cambridge the 520UN/R2 has proved completely reliable: in fact I can't recall a single problem that required input from Watson-Marlow. Request a free brochure from Watson-Marlow Bredel Pumps ...
We are very pleased with the pump and the peristaltic technology it employs.".
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