Hose pump active in animal feed production

The so-called "wet food" for dogs and cats, for example, is formulated at the factory from various ingredients. In addition to the main ingredient, such as meat or poultry, various ingredients are added to give the product the right taste, smell and color. Netzsch supplies peristaltic hose pumps for this purpose that fit seamlessly into hygienic environments where precise dosing of liquids with a high solids content is central.

Netzsch is known for its extensive range of pumps for the food industry, among others, but above all for its expert guidance when it comes to choosing the right pump for a specific application. Account manager Yvette van Maanen: "For example, we have special peristaltic pumps for the food industry that we regularly advise and then successfully apply."

Operation of a peristaltic pump

A peristaltic pump is basically a positive displacement pump and is also called a peristaltic pump because its operation is similar to the human esophagus. At the center of a peristaltic pump is the flexible tube that is filled with the medium at the beginning of the process. This is done by gravity or with the help of negative pressure. Further pumping of the fluid is then done by a roller that periodically squeezes and releases the flexible hose. This squeezing motion pushes the fluid forward toward the pump outlet. When the tube relaxes again, it draws in new fluid after which the cycle repeats itself.

Advantages

Both the hygienic construction and the operating principle make peristaltic pumps ideal for use in the food industry. For example, the housing of the Netzsch peristaltic pumps is made of stainless steel and the hose of a flexible rubber type with FDA approval. This makes it resistant to a variety of media. Even when they are slightly abrasive, have a high viscosity, contain certain chemicals or a high percentage of solids. Moreover, because the products only come into contact with the hose, peristaltic pumps are ideally suited for pumping delicate products.

Furthermore, the versatile pumps can dose liquids continuously and with low pulsation due to their operating principle. This means that even very small quantities can be added to a process with high accuracy; an important feature when it comes to additives such as coloring and flavoring or, for example, additional vitamins. In addition, peristaltic pumps are self-priming and insensitive to dry-running. This also makes the pumps suitable for applications where the pump is not constantly filled with liquid. Finally, Netzsch Peripro® pumps can deliver the same flow rate at lower speeds due to their wider passage. This not only benefits efficiency, but also results in lower wear because the hose is "pinched" less frequently. The flow rate determines the size of the pump; a matching solution is considered for large volumes.

Easy maintenance

A final advantage that is emphatically present in Netzsch pumps concerns the simplicity of maintenance. First, the maintenance requirement is already minimized because these pumps use a roller for the peristaltic movements instead of a so-called "shoe. As a result, the hose - as the only real wear part - is loaded more evenly and wears out more slowly. Also, only a very small amount of glycerin is required in the pump housing. 

When the hose does need replacement, the respective service technician can easily open the housing, disassemble the roller and remove the hose. Replacing a new hose, connecting it, mounting the roller and closing the housing is equally simple. In this way, service and downtime times are reduced and money is also saved on the number of hoses needed per year. Van Maanen: "In addition, hose pumps minimize the risk of contamination by other pump components. After all, the liquid only comes into contact with the hose. And because it is a closed system with a limited number of moving parts, the risk of leaks is minimal. In short: ideal for use in the food industry."