Case Study
Foundry operations boosted by SEKO pump upgrade
Facing concerns over the efficiency and environmental impact of its equipment, turned to global dosing pump specialist SEKO for a multipurpose solution.
Within the foundry industry, resin-coated sand has for many years been a popular material for iron casting moulds as it is easily compacted and provides a smooth, consistent and defectfree surface to the finished product.
Resin moulding sand is produced by dosing one or more binder chemicals – including furan resin – into crude sand before mixing and pouring the material into casts to harden, readyfor the product pattern to be imprinted.
A major drawback of this process is that when furan resin is thermally decomposed during metal casting, air pollutants such as benzene, toluene and xylenes are produced which, if not closely controlled, can have a significant effect on the environment along with the health of workers and local residents.
This inevitably caused excessive chemical dosing which, as well as causing costly wastage, exacerbated the emission of polluting gases. In addition, the existing equipment was noisy, caused large flow and pressure pulsations and had a high maintenance requirement.
For one sand mixer manufacturer, this was unacceptable, and they decided to make fundamental changes to their systems in order to improve operational efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
SEKO’s technical team carried out a comprehensive assessment of the customer’s system and discovered that the existing process dosed furan resin into the crude sand via a gear pump which was considerably lacking in accuracy.
A large-scale manufacturer of resin sand mixers.
“Air pollutants from furan resin can have a significant impact on workers, local residents and the environment”
Taking into account the client’s specific process requirements along with the nature of the additives being pumped, the SEKO technical team recommended the Spring MS1 mechanical diaphragm dosing pump for an accurate, reliable and cost-effective alternative to gear pumps.
The Spring MS1’s analogue-controlled dosing accuracy meant that the binders could be metered in proportion to the volume of crude sand, resulting in a consistent mix while minimising chemical wastage.
Meanwhile, the pump’s high-grade PTFE diaphragms and PVC/PVDF head – known for their superior chemical compatibility – were considered ideal for handling the aggressive benzenesulfonic acid and helping to ensure the pump’s reliable, long-life performance.
The Spring MS1, with its zero-leakage profile and impressive low failure rate, is proven to be capable of continuous dosing. This is in part due to an intelligent ball valve design which allows the component to be easily removed for cleaning without the need for regular shutdown maintenance minimising the running costs.
The flexible Spring MS1 was also an appealing choice due to its capacity for receiving a number of ancillary products, including variable-frequency motors and pulse dampers to further enhance chemical dosing consistency. Meanwhile, the pump’s back pressure valve ensures accurate dosing even in the event of a change in water pressure within the pipeline.
Along with an improvement in the overall dosing performance of the resin sand mixer, the customer has seen a significant reduction in the emission of pollutants, allowing them to protect workers and neighbours while reassuring existing and prospective customers that their product is environmentally responsible.
Another example of a SEKO solution helping customers achieve long-term, cost-effective improvements in their daily operations.
Spring MS1 Series
Motor-driven dosing pump Features
Flow rates: 5.5-1200 l/h
Max back pressure: up to 10 bar
Power supply: 380V, 50Hz
Stroke rate: 58-232 strokes/minute
Pump head: PVC
Diaphragm: PTFE
Diaphragm diameter: 64-165 mm
Motor: Standard power 0.18-0.25-0.37-0.55 kW (IP55)
Options: MS1 can be equipped with a variablefrequency or explosion-proof motor or a 4-20mA electronic stroke adjuster
“Air pollutants from furan resin can have a significant impact on workers, local residents and the environment”
SEKO Hub
For everyone from buyers and engineers to end users, SEKO Hub is the ultimate all-encompassing platform that brings you to the heart of SEKO and gives you what you need when you need it.
Bringing together essential documents such as manuals, case studies and brochures as well as tutorial videos, favourite products, an appointment booking system and so much more, SEKO Hub is a central personalised platform to revolutionise the way you work. SEKO Hub is available online or via app, so you’re never without it whether you’re at work, at home or on the move. It’s your home for the complete SEKO experience, so join SEKO Hub and make our world a part of yours.
Join the Hub
SEKO reserves the right to amend and change specifications without prior notice. All pictures shown are for illustration purpose only. Actual product may vary due to product enhancement. Published data may be subject to change.
© 2022 SEKO, Layout and origin: UK, 850003 WI EN V04
A world of SEKO in one