Enormous time and cost-savings on site after installation of a VERDERFLEX VF 25 peristaltic hose pump. IMF, who manufacture copper fittings and valves which cover a variety of jointing techniques and applications for plumbing and heating, needed a more reliable pump to remove waste floor washings, through copper piping, to a waste tank which would then be taken from site.

Waste floor washings are very dirty and sludgy and this led to the seals and balls of the AOD becoming blocked. Due to this, almost every other day the pump had to be stopped and taken apart in order for it to be cleaned. This process would take at least half an hour – costing the company a great amount overall in terms of lost time and labour costs.

Verder went to visit the site to investigate the problem and recommend solutions in conjunction with the on-site Castrol representative, who manages all of IMI's lubrication needs and deals with all soluble waste streams (through a service called Castrol Plus). It was suggested that a VERDERFLEX industrial hose pump would be the best pump for the job. This is because with industrial hose pumps an almost full vacuum is produced which draws the liquid into the hose, so very viscous liquids, such as this sludgy waste, can be pumped without problems. Also, the product only comes into contact with the hose and not with any rotating parts which means that downtime is minimal. The pump also has no valves or glands so there is no product build up or clogging of the pump.

Since the VF25 was installed, the pump has been running for approximately 8 hours each day with no problems whatsoever. Castrol and IMI are so happy with the performance of the VERDERFLEX that they have recently ordered another VF25, this time for pumping waste oil.

Picture: (source: Verder)