Imparting a little know-how on tubing material choice and replacement can lead to cost and efficiency benefits for those using cleaning equipment, argues Lily Lei, global marketing manager of Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics.
As any production manager can tell you, proper cleaning is vital to the safe and successful operational performance of any industrial or institutional facility. However, to continue operating at the highest possible levels while also maintaining the all-important bottom line, end-users of industrial cleaning equipment need to seek out solutions that are not only extremely effective but also efficient.
When dispensing concentrated, caustic and costly chemicals with peristaltic pumps used in industrial cleaning applications, it is imperative to use high-performance pump tubing solutions that minimise waste, downtime, maintenance and replacement costs – all potentially significant drains on precious financial resources. The challenge facing the end-user is how to navigate the complex sea of factors involved in weighing cost versus performance.
In addition to providing high-performance tubing solutions, OEMs can assume another important role – that of trusted guide. By providing valuable expertise on proper care and maintenance, they can help customers enhance the performance and increase the lifecycle of washing equipment.
The first step towards specifying any long-lasting and effective chemical dispensing system is to know which performance properties to look for in industrial cleaning peristaltic pump and transfer tubing. However, equally important is how to properly maintain chemical dispensing systems, allowing end-users to improve overall operating efficiency and get the most from their ware washers.
Imparting this knowledge will not only boost customer savings – minimising costly part replacements and increasing the overall value and performance of washer units – but it will also serve to strengthen the supplier-customer relationship.
Educating end-users on matching the right performance properties with the right application is a good place to start.
Educating end-users on matching the right performance properties with the right application is a good place to start. An effective chemical dispensing system must be able to withstand caustic chemicals and a harsh industrial cleaning environment. Tubing made from the right material can stand up to the inherent challenges associated with peristaltic pumps for chemical dispensing, resulting in a longer product lifecycle, and reduced maintenance and replacement costs.
Chemical resistance: Advances in materials science have yielded cutting-edge polymers with unique combinations of performance properties. In industrial cleaning applications, high chemical resistance is vital, enabling tubing to last longer despite contact with harsh chemicals.
For peristaltic pumps used in chemical dispensers for industrial and commercial washing machines, a tubing solution using Norprene should be virtually unaffected by contact with acids, bases, ketones, salts and alcohols. This durability will provide extended performance without constant and costly part maintenance or replacement.
Pressure ratings: In industrial and commercial washing machines pressure rating for chemical transfer is another key durability property to focus on. Tubing with improved pressure ratings will not embrittle or crack prematurely, ensuring that the costly chemicals are dispensed properly and can do their work effectively.
Flexibility and durability: Along with the ability to stand up to increased pressure, the end-user must also understand the importance of superior flexibility. The ability to withstand repeated stress from fluids being transported without performance degradation can eliminate fluid contamination resulting from breakage and leaking plasticisers. High-performance polymers, such as Tygon 2375, can provide enhanced durability properties vital to challenging chemical transfer lines in industrial cleaning applications.
Chemical purity: While most end-users understand that chemicals used in industrial cleansers are not only caustic but also costly, they might not know how the right high-performance tubing solution can help maintain chemical purity. The purity of the chemicals used in dispensing applications is vital, helping to eliminate waste and improve overall operations; reduced particulate build-up and ensuring the integrity of the chemical are key.
Tubing materials with smooth inner surfaces will inhibit build-up and reduce the potential for costly and time-consuming chemical contamination
For example, tubing materials with smooth inner surfaces will inhibit build-up and reduce the potential for costly and time-consuming chemical contamination. In addition, materials with lower sorption rates allow for consistent concentration levels without dilution. Less chemical alteration and loss ensures that chemical dosages are dispensed consistently each and every time, resulting in effective and efficient industrial cleaning operations and thereby saving the end-user both time and money.
Environmental impact: Finally, in today’s environmentally-conscious world, at the end of its useful lifecycle, tubing must be disposed of properly. In the past, typical disposal methods included incineration, which has far-reaching negative effects on the environment, releasing hazardous and corrosive hydrochloride gas – a producer of acid rain.
End-users need to know that with the various enhanced tubing materials available, there are other, more environmentally friendly options on the market. It is important for the environment, as well as companies’ corporate reputations, to use tubing made from environmentally sound bio-based materials that can be safely disposed of without releasing unsafe by-products.
An educated customer is a happy one. Providing the customer with the knowledge to specify the right performance properties for demanding applications, such as peristaltic pumps for chemical dispensing or chemical transfer for industrial and institutional cleaning, can help them choose the best tubing solution possible.
However, end-users must be able to rely on their suppliers for more than just quality ware washers. A strong supply partner will go to the next level, providing long-term guidance for customers on how to maintain the equipment they have purchased. Sharing know-how on how to extend the lifetime and performance of their investment can enhance the loyalty and longevity of the business relationship.
Demonstrating the importance of maintaining the small but critical parts – such as tubing – can help customers extend the overall life of their purchase. No part lasts forever, so if these parts are degraded due to over-use, the entire chemical dispensing unit can fail.
Knowing when to replace pump tubing towards the end of its useful life can cost-effectively extend the performance of the entire dispensing system.
By educating end-users on regular maintenance of tubing solutions, OEMs can help their customers prevent potential disruptions to their manufacturing operation, and reduce the costs associated with this downtime and replacement washers.
