Hose changing is mess-free thanks to new pump

Before July 2018, Bathurst Water Filtration Plant operated two peristaltic pumps to transfer carbon slurry as part of the plant’s treatment process. Slurry is abrasive, meaning that the hoses had to be replaced once or twice each year.

The supervisor of the treatment plant, David Cashen, explained that the mess caused by the hose changes was a huge problem. Due to the ‘shoe-on-hose’ design, when changing out a hose, the pump casing had to be filled with lubricating fluid. In the event of a hose failure, a messy mix of carbon slurry and lubricating oil covered the inside and outside of the pump, creating a mammoth and unwanted clean-up job.

Cashen said that hose replacements and the consequential clean-up would often take days. In addition to the mess, Cashen had to incur the cost of the lubrication fluid to replace a hose each time, on top of the cost of the hose itself.

While attending the Water Industry Operations Conference & Exhibition in 2018, Cashen was introduced to the Ragazzini Rotho Peristaltic Pump at the Hydro Innovations stand and was convinced he had found the solution to his messy hose-changing issues.

The Ragazzini Rotho Peristaltic Pump features a ‘roller on bearings’ design that eliminates the need for lubricating oil and reduces friction, resulting in extended hose life. The automatic retractable roller system allows for easy maintenance and hose changeover, and takes the pressure off hoses during pump rest periods.

Another appealing feature is the simplification of hose changeouts, with no hose lubricating oil required, meaning no mess or potential contamination in the event of a hose failure. Seven different hoses are available, operating at 1 L/hour up to 180,000 L/hour, with operating pressures up to 15 bar.

Two Ragazzini MS0 pumps were supplied, with one fitted at the plant immediately to assess performance. This pump has been operating since July 2018, running continuously for up to 20 hours per day in the hotter periods. At a recent inspection in April 2019, there was no hose failure or need to change out the original hose.

Image courtesy of Hydro Innovations.