Hydra-Cell hydraulically-flexed diaphragm pumps, supplied by Michael Smith Engineers, are successfully preventing static build-up in the wool spinning process – and resisting breakdown.
Richard Stoker, technical manager at Huddersfield-based Spectrum Yarns, explains that demineralised water has to be sprayed into the spinning wool to provide atmospheric moisture, but that its piston pumps were having problems due to the non-lubricating water attacking the pumping element.
Replacing the piston pumps with two Hydra-Cell close-coupled triplex diaphragm pumps with ac inverter-rated motors was the solution, he says.
"When our demands were reliability, build quality and service, we decided to use Hydra-Cell pumps ... and after 12 months of continuous use pumping demineralised water, the pumps have not faltered at all," states Stoker.
Reasons for success in this application include: the corrosion-resistant stainless steel pump head, which means no contamination of the demineralised water through leaching; the triplex diaphragm design, which ensures a virtually pulse-less flow for spraying; and the hermetically sealed diaphragms for zero leakage of the demineralised water.
In addition, the diaphragms are hydraulically balanced (which reduces the levels of diaphragm stress), while the inverter-controlled ac motor allows for adjustment of speed to match flow rate automatically.
