Materials
Pumps can be fitted with a variety of socketed pipework connections from North Ridge Pumps with a range of features and hygiene ratings .
Most stainless steel ordered around the world is Grade 304 , as it offers the standard corrosion resistance , formability , strength and easy maintenance for which stainless steel is renowned . Grade 316 may be second in amount sold , but it offers vastly superior corrosion resistance to chlorides and acids .
Grade 304 is certainly a minimum requisite for a hygienic pump . It also provides strong resistance against acids or alkalis which may be present in the liquid , or may be used in a caustic Cleaning-in-Place regime .
Occasionally , cast iron is used in chocolate pumping as bacteria don ’ t multiply within chocolate . In addition , pumps containing cast iron can be effectively used with magnetic separators which detect and capture any metal present in pumped fluids .
Cowl and feet
A cowl is fitted over a pump motor for two key reasons . Firstly , it stops debris , dust or other matter
collecting between the motor fins , making cleaning difficult and creating a health hazard . It also means that the pump can be easily cleaned by jet washing during washdown . While fitting feet to the pump keeps the pump head away from the floor , stopping debris getting in if the pump head is opened for inspection .
Connections
Where pipework is present in a process , it ’ s very important to ensure that all connections are sanitisable and stop the build-up of debris . Sometimes , fittings like tri-clamps are used which can be polished , are easily cleanable and have full pass-through preventing the accumulation of debris .
Pumps can be fitted with a variety of socketed pipework connections from North Ridge Pumps with a range of features and hygiene ratings . Certain types of fitting may be hygienic , but if they are not designed to accept Clean-in-Place , the pump must be disassembled and cleaned manually to maintain an effective hygiene programme .
Suitable for CIP
As mentioned , Clean-in-Place describes specific systems and equipment used in food processing that can be cleaned and sanitised without being disassembled or moved . Whether it ’ s down to a dedicated CIP / SIP port or through hygienic design , this feature ensures that the pumps can be sanitised , either via a caustic or acid wash to remove debris and bacteria .
Third-party approved gaskets or seals
These ensure that when certain materials are used for hygienic seals and sanitary gaskets , the food or beverages which are being pumped are not contaminated during contact and have the highest levels of hygiene . Standard hygienic materials include Silicone , Neoprene , Nitrile ( NBRA ), EPDM , Norprene , Tygon , Viton ( FKM ) or Virgin PTFE / TEFLON .
Typical certification bodies include the European Hygienic Engineering and Design Group and the Water Regulations Approval Scheme in Europe , and the Food and Drug Administration , National Sanitation Foundation 61 and 3-A Sanitary Standards in the US .
For this specific project , we specified one of our sanitary centrifugal pumps suitable for multiple starts and stops as well as operation via VFD in only 3 weeks .
If you have a process you ’ re looking to achieve and would like some support and guidance from one of our application specialists engineers , talk to North Ridge Pumps today to see how we can help .
www . northridgepumps . com
FDPP - www . fdpp . co . uk 29