Low pulsation peristaltic pumps deliver success at coating/granulation specialist
25/11/2013 Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Solutions (WMFTS)
Based less than 10km from the Swiss border at Steinen in southwest Germany, Innojet Herbert Hüttlin places great importance on precision, reliability and as little pulsation as possible in the transport of binding agents and coatings in its innovative plant.Granulation and coating are among the most important production stages in the food industry and particularly in the pharmaceutical sector, where powder is frequently granulated to improve flow and adhesion in the pressing of tablets. Furthermore, active ingredients suitable for compression into tablets often require a coating, typically to improve shelf life.
Innojet systems such as Aircoater and Ventilus work on the principle of bottom spray, whereby the coating or binding agent is applied to the particulates from below by means of a spray nozzle. A pump transports the medium to be sprayed from the tank to the spray nozzle. This operation not only demands maximum precision and reliability but, above all, as little pulsation as possible.
Problem solved
"Pulsation peaks can ultimately lead to excess liquid on the surface, resulting in an uneven coating," explains company founder and Managing Director, Dr Herbert Hüttlin. "However, this problem is virtually non-existent with the peristaltic pumps we use from Watson-Marlow."
Watson-Marlow's pumps are deployed in Innojet's larger pilot and production plant. For example, 520 and 620 series pumps have been installed in the Ventilus system developed to granulate and coat particularly small particles. In addition, Watson-Marlow's 114FDC/DV panel-mount pumps are used in the smaller laboratory equipment manufactured by Innojet. This very compact pump ensures precise and reproducible output, while the 114DV flip-top pumphead makes it easy to insert the silicone tubing, which Innojet also acquires from Watson-Marlow.
"This pumphead prevents incorrect operation by the user," says Michael Peters, regional OEM Sales Engineer at Watson-Marlow. "The tube can be changed without tools within a few seconds thanks to the flip-top technology. It also worth noting that optimum results can only be achieved with a high quality tube manufactured to very tight tolerances. It's just a shame that more customers are not always aware of the direct bearing the tube has on pump operation."
Global support
Another major reason behind Innojet's original selection of Watson-Marlow is the worldwide support on offer.
"Our systems are delivered all over the world, so this obviously played a part in our thinking," concludes Dr Hüttlin. "However, we have never needed the global support because, in over 15 years, no pump has ever broken down."
From a two-man operation starting out as recently as 1997, Innojet Herbert Hüttlin has grown to become an innovation leader in the industry, largely through its worldwide patented Innojet technology, which works with a unique air flow bed process.
For more information, please contact:
WATSON-MARLOW PUMPS GROUP
Tel: 01326 370370
Web: www.wmpg.co.uk
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