Humidifiers are required in many industrial applications where dry air is detrimental to a process. In textiles manufacturing, for example, static build-up, low regain, yarn breakage, dust, fly or lint are all recognised as signs that the air moisture content is too low.
Huddersfield based Spectrum Yarns has been spinning wool for almost 40 years and throughout this time, static electricity has been a persistent problem that has had to be tackled by humidification. This is achieved by spraying demineralised water into the spinning wool to provide atmospheric moisture. The resulting increase in humidity (up to 80 percent is possible) helps to prevent static build-up and its detrimental effects on the wool spinning process.
Hitherto, Spectrum Yarns had been using piston pumps for this application, but with limited success. This was largely due to the non-lubricating demineralised water attacking the piston pumping element, accelerating wear and drastically reducing the working life of the pump.
Diaphragm pumps to the rescue
Following an assessment of the options available to them and in consultation with supplier Michael Smith Engineers, Spectrum decided to replace the piston pumps with two Hydra-Cell close-coupled triplex diaphragm pumps, complete with ac inverter rated motors.
The features and benefits of the Hydra-Cell pumps which helped in this particular application include a corrosion resistant stainless steel pump head that prevents any contamination of the demineralised water through leaching. The triplex diaphragm design also ensures a virtually pulse-less flow for smooth, consistent spraying, while hermetically sealed diaphragms achieve zero leakage of the pumped medium – in this case, demineralised water.
In addition, the diaphragms are hydraulically balanced, which significantly reduces the levels of diaphragm stress to ensure longer, maintenance-free life, while the inverter controlled ac motor enables easy adjustment of speed so the flow rate can be adjusted automatically, depending upon process needs. According to Spectrum Yarns technical manager, Richard Stoker, after 12 months of continuous duty pumping demineralised water, the Hydra-Cell pumps have never faltered.
Hydra-Cell pumps are available in a wide choice of liquid end materials ensuring versatility in their ability to handle most challenging fluids along with the flexibility to be adapted to a wide range of pumping duties.
They have a proven track-record of reliable operation in applications such as; metering, dosing, injecting and spraying chemicals, solvents, acids, hydrocarbons, liquefied gases, alkalis, polymers, resins, slurries and recycled or dirty liquids.