A major pulp and paper mill in Victoria was using a 1½” Sandpiper pump with Aluminium wetted materials, Nitrile diaphragm check valves and painted Aluminium non-wetted parts.

The pump was used in extraction of cooking pine wood chips which is a proprietary process, and was located in a sump in a bunded area, where intrinsically-safe tools are required.

Previously, the pump was used to pump turpentine- based residue called pinene, and was the recommended pump for this duty. Pinene consists of alpha pinene, beta pinene and delta pinene. It is a natural vegetable based turpentine.

Due to an internal extraction-related problem, white liquor was introduced into the process which consists of sodium carbonate, sodium ulphide and sodium hydroxide. It also contains small amounts of suspended solids, mostly in the form of calcium carbonate (lime mud).

This product attacked the suction and discharge manifolds of the pump and seriously corroded the material, giving it a honeycomb image.

Kelair’s engineer offered a solution by way of a Sandpiper 1½” pump, compatible with white liquor and turpentine, with wetted parts in Stainless Steel, diaphragm / check valves in PTFE Neoprene / PTFE-G, valve seat in PTFE-T and non-wetted parts Y, painted Aluminium with Stainless Steel hardware.

The pump could be installed with the existing pipework and required no changes, saving the customer from amending the process as well as the obvious economic benefits. The Sandpiper pump was purchased and is expected to be in operation soon.

Kelair Pumps have a wide range of Sandpiper pumps. As the authorised Australian distributor for Sandpiper, Kelair is you best choice for AODD pumps. Contact us today.