Case study: lobe pumps keep the sun cream process in motion
21 Mar 2017
Hygienic lobe pumps help to smooth the sun cream process.
Malibu Health Products is a private manufacturer of sun care and related products based in St Albans, Hertfordshire and well known for leading brands such as the sun cream ‘Malibu Sun’.
Sun creams and lotions are designed to absorb or reflect some of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation and therefore help to protect the wearer from the potentially damaging effects of the sun’s rays.
For these products to work effectively they must be free from contamination, so manufacturing processes must be as hygienic as possible.
An important stage of the process, requiring the transfer of sun care creams and liquids from 1,000 litre vessels, was being handled by flexible impeller pumps.
For these products to work effectively they must be free from contamination, so manufacturing processes must be as hygienic as possible
However, there were issues with the pump impellers wearing rapidly due to the viscous nature of the process fluids. The resulting pump failures led to plant downtime, unplanned maintenance costs and product contamination caused by rubber particles entering process liquids from worn impellers.
Furthermore, the use of flexible impellers pulled air into the process and also imparted excessive levels of shear stress onto the liquid, both of which could degrade the end product.
Hygienic handling
Inoxpa SLR 2-50 sanitary lobe pumps constructed in hygienic 316L stainless steel were supplied by Michael Smith Engineers, replacing the flexible impeller pumps. They contributed towards improving manufacturing processes, reducing maintenance and downtime.
The SLR pump is a positive displacement sanitary construction rotary lobe suitable for use in the dairy, food processing, beverage, cosmetic, pharmaceutical and fine chemical industries. The SLR series is designed for pumping all kinds of fluids, including low or high viscosity liquids.
We now have minimal air ingress into the process, no product contamination, and reduced maintenance downtime
George Mears, technical manager at Malibu Health Products
These pumps are designed to handle even the most viscous fluids, such as the sun creams being produced at Malibu Health Products, without the risks of contaminating or degrading sensitive products.
The lobe rotor design aims for smooth, shear-free pumping and low operating speeds providing immediate energy savings.
George Mears, technical manager at Malibu Health Products (Sun Protection), comments: “We are happy with the Inoxpa lobe pumps supplied by Michael Smith Engineers, as we now have minimal air ingress into the process, no product contamination, and reduced maintenance downtime.”
End products
Inoxpa SLR rotary lobe pumps are often used for pumping applications which involve highly viscous liquids such as creams, syrups and gels, or those containing solid particles.
The positive displacement, sanitary construction meets the strict requirements for processing sensitive, hygienic end products, making them safe and suitable for use in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, food processing and fine chemical industries.
The lobe rotor design features large cavities between the lobes to ensure easy handling of viscous liquids with virtually no shear onto the product. No parts can wear into the process liquid, so the risks of product contamination are eliminated.
Furthermore, low operating speeds enable smooth flows, reduced wear and more efficient operation. Together, these elements contribute towards longer pump life and energy savings.
