A KELAIR Pumps customer had a requirement for a new batching system for solvents.
The customer had existing systems which were similar, and Kelair Pumps used them as a guideline. The pump needed to fill both 200L and 20L drums accurately.
While the customer used to use centrifugal pumps for the batching system, it needed the pump to have different suction conditions, requiring the pump to have suction lift. A positive displacement pump had to be used in the stead of centrifugals.
Kelair Pumps selected a Corken Vane pump as they are suited for thin, light solvents, and for their suction lift capability.
Kelair Pumps needed to select the optimal flow rate for the tasks. If a 20L drum took 15 seconds to fill, a 200L drum would take 2.5 minutes, an overly-long timeframe for batch filling.
If the flow rate was too great, the 20L drums would have problems with inaccuracies and overflows. Additionally, Kelair Pumps could not specify a variable speed drive for the motor due to the area being a Class 1 Zone 1.
Kelair Pumps opted to use a batching device similar to those already on the site. These are suited for Class 1 Zone 1 areas, and have manual controls to set the batch sizes.
Kelair fabricated a trolley baseframe for the batching system, making it mobile. The batching system was mounted up high on a heavy duty support with provision for an emergency stop button alongside.
The pump was then mounted beneath the batching system, with a Class 1 Zone 1 motor.
Kelair Pumps specified a gearbox with manually operated handwheel to give a six-to-one turndown ratio. The hand-wheel could be turned to reduce or increase the speed for accurate and ideal flow rate for both the 200L and 20L drums.