Amarinth turns the most problematic pump at Polimeri Europa into its most reliable
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 27 March 2008
Amarinth turns the most problematic pump at Polimeri Europa into its most reliable
Amarinth, a leading company specialising in the design, application and manufacture of pumps and associated equipment, has underlined its innovative engineering skills with an advanced impeller and pump design for Polimeri Europa that allows latex coagulate to be pumped reliably thereby reducing equipment maintenance costs by a massive 83%.
Polimeri Europa is one of the major world producers of elastomers. The pumping of latex presents a particular difficulty because of its adhesion and coagulation properties. A high cost maintenance regime requiring numerous built up spare pumps, stand-by pumps and regular labour intensive overhauls and cleaning was used to keep process lines running. Pumps were changed as often as every shift during certain product batches.
With no standard products available in the market that could resolve the issues, Polimeri Europa turned to specialists Amarinth to optimise a design which would include special features outside of their standard catalogue. The design parameters were for a pump that could run for three weeks before requiring any maintenance.
Starting with its proven and reliable N-series pump, Amarinth applied its wealth of skills and state-of-the-art computer equipment to design a scalloped impeller that would minimise clogging of the latex. An electro-polish was then applied to both the impeller and the backplate to create low friction surfaces. A removable front suction cover was designed to enable quick access for cleaning and finally a specially adapted mechanical seal was added to contain the latex coagulate.
The new pumps were delivered on-time and are exceeding all design expectations on this very demanding application. Labour costs are down by 85% and overall costs are down by 83%. These cost savings in both parts and labour has meant that the pumps have paid for themselves in under a year.
Despite having surpassed the original specification, Polimeri Europa was keen to further develop the design and achieve even better performance. Ideas were jointly developed between engineers from Amarinth and Polimeri Europa and following FEA analysis by Amarinth it was found that further small modifications to the impeller and backplate could dramatically increase performance.
Andrew Maxwell, Plant Engineer Materials at Polimer Europa, has worked closely with Amarinth on this new design and commented: “I have been impressed by Amarinth’s repeated willingness to further develop and improve this product. Working with them and developing innovative ideas has been a very productive and rewarding experience. The cost savings generated for Polimeri Europa have been considerable and have turned one of our most problematic maintenance issues into one of our most reliable.”
Polimeri Europa now has a pump that has run for six months without the need for any maintenance or cleaning – much longer that the original three week design brief. As an additional bonus the most recent design changes are also delivering significant energy savings.
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Amarinth is a carbon net zero organisation delivering world-leading expertise in the design, application and manufacture of centrifugal pumps and associated equipment for critical applications in many of the most arduous and hostile environments around the globe.
Founded in 2002, Amarinth has harnessed the skills, creativity and passion of people who have worked in the pump industry for decades, delivering bespoke API and ISO pumps primarily to the offshore and onshore oil & gas industries; nuclear and renewable energy generation; defence; desalination; process and industrial markets.
The company’s innovative approach, business agility and use of sophisticated computer applications enables it to deliver robust, reliable and sustainable pumping solutions on the shortest lead times in the industry.
• Process pumps – API 610, API 685, ISO 5199 horizontal, vertical and in-line bespoke process pumps, including ones that are hydraulically and dimensionally interchangeable with the former Girdlestone and other obsolete pumps.
• Skid packages and modules – Supplied with a variety of drives for applications including de-sanding, mixing, filtration and chemical injection and tailored for the oil & gas, water treatment and power generation industries.
• Condensate recovery – Cutting-edge design providing low NPSH up to 98°C with variable speed drives to reduce cycle time and lower operating costs, available in stainless steel, galvanised or copper tanks for light or heavy industrial uses.
• Seal support – Integrated pressurised and vented seal support systems designed and delivered to API 682 and ISO 5199 standards and specific site specifications and requirements, working closely with AES, Eagle Burgmann, John Crane and Protect System.
• Spare parts – Critical spares for all Amarinth pumps and related components can be dispatched the same day, reducing potential downtime, and in addition components for the former Girdlestone and other obsolete pumps can be re-engineered often improving the performance of existing assets.
• Services – A full range of pump related services, delivered from UK head office or on-site globally, onshore or off-shore, including full commissioning and start-up support; also strip, report and refurbishment of any pump regardless of manufacturer.
Amarinth operates globally from its base in Rendlesham Suffolk, United Kingdom and offices in the Middle East and Malaysia with a global customer base, including BP, Shell, ADNOC, NOV, ExxonMobil, Schlumberger, COSCO, EDF, GlaxoSmithKline, Saudi Aramco, Pfizer, Diageo, Kuwait Oil Company, AMEC, Fluor, LUKOIL, Halliburton, and Babcock.
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Comment:
Alex Brigginshaw
Commercial Director
Amarinth Limited
Bentwaters Park, Rendlesham
Woodbridge IP12 2TW
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)1394 462131
Mobile: +44 (0)7703 681821
Alex.Brigginshaw@Amarinth.com
Media Relations:
Phil Harland
B6 Solutions Limited
29 Swan Drive
The Wharf, Aldermaston
Reading RG7 4UZ
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)118 971 3271
Mobile: +44 (0)7880 748380
Phil.Harland@B6solutions.com
