Tubing allows big savings on waste

Thales Optics has saved over GBP 8000 through the reduction of waste and maintenance since it started using Watson-Marlow Bredel's Sta-Pure tubing.

Thales Optics has saved over GBP 8000 through the reduction of waste and maintenance since it started using Watson-Marlow Bredel's Sta-Pure tubing in the mid range peristaltic pump supplied by the leading pump manufacturer just over a year ago.

Thales Optics, based in St Asaph, North Wales has been using Watson-Marlow Bredel peristaltic pumps for a number of years in the holography department for the manufacture of holographic optical elements and combiners for military and civil aircraft head-up displays (HUDs).

Prior to using Sta-Pure tubing, Thales Optics was using standard silicone tubing which had to be replaced within as little as 14 days.

Tony Porter, process development manager at Thales, says: "At the time I thought Sta-Pure tubing was just too expensive, but it has paid for itself many times over.

In fact we are still using the same piece of tubing over a year later, I was so impressed I ordered another pumping system complete with tubing".

The Watson-Marlow Bredel pumps meter large quantities of both 100% alcohol (IPA) and IPA diluted with water for washing components which form part of the aircraft HUDs.

"We've saved over GBP 8000 on waste disposal and IPA.

The extra system enables us to pump the waste 100% IPA through a filter to separate any impurities and then mix it with water for re-use in dilute form for the second wash.

This provides us with a saving of 40% of the total IPA, as well as saving on the cost of the barrels and waste collection", says Dr Porter.

The Sta-Pure tube offers up to 18 times the tube life expected from silicone tubing, and twice the life of most thermoplastic elastomer tubing.

Mike Sullivan, marketing manager at Watson-Marlow Bredel, says: "This longevity significantly reduces the need for tube changes and has led to peristaltic pumps being used increasingly in the process industry.

Flow rate stability is maintained over time, even at elevated pressures, helping to maintain calibration settings and product quality".

Watson-Marlow Bredel's peristaltic pumps are contamination-free, with no metal parts in contact with the process fluid, alleviating any concern over cross-contamination by trace metals that could be picked up through diaphragm or rotary lobe pumps.

The downtime and labour involved in cleaning other pump types, which can be as high as four to six hours at a time in high risk applications, is considerably reduced through the quick and easy tube changeover, which is accomplished in a matter of minutes.

Back to top