Cooked starch: No problem for pump

The cooked starch used to gloss paper at the mill offers viscosity of 15,000cP at 90°C. Adding to the challenge, the starch tends to crystalise when it comes into contact with the atmosphere or if the temperature drops below 30°C.

The paper mill needs to pump the starch (both industrial and food quality types, depending on the application) from a boiler tank to the paper machine, where it is sprayed on to the paper via nozzles. As a result, consistent and reliable pumping at 15,000L/h is paramount.

Two years ago, the mill replaced its PC pumps with a MasoSine SPS250 sine pump which has been running successfully ever since.

In the case of highly viscous products, Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group says MasoSine pumps are impressive because there is very little internal friction and minimal fluid deformation. Excellent power density is another factor that is said to make sine pumps ideal for the transport of viscous fluid.

The paper mill reports that it has witnessed a reduction in suction blockages due to the efficient suction attributes of the MasoSine SPS250. Furthermore, the sine pump has a lower pulsation than the PC pump, which has improved starch quality due to the gentle handling action.

The mill is now looking at installing MasoSine pumps at other plants.