ATEX pumps for conveying powders: the Movingfluid solution

In this article:

• A high-risk (manual) operation  
• Maximum safety thanks to the ATEX pump by Movingfluid
• A 100% safe and efficient pump
• Not just for hairspray: other possible applications in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical sectors
• Safety, savings, precision: the sought-after and achieved advantages

Movingfluid’s ATEX pump solves the safety issue for the cosmetics sector

Safety in the industrial sector is an important issue. So much so that the most attentive companies are looking for solutions to go beyond the legal requirements and ensure not only the safety but also the well-being of its workers.

It is with these premises that SOCO S.p.A approached us a few months ago, looking for an ATEX pumps for transporting powders for its Turin plant.

A challenge we accepted without hesitation and which we resolved to the complete satisfaction of the customer and its operators, who are now no longer exposed to the risks of the manual operations performed up until that point. Here’s how we did it. 

A high-risk (manual) operation 

SOCO S.p.A is an Italian company specialized in cosmetic-trichological products, including the famous Cielo Alto ecological volumizing hairspray, developed in the 1960s and a pioneer of its kind.

This expertise that has grown and evolved over time: thanks also to unique formulas, produced directly within the “small multinational”, to use the company’s words.

It is precisely because of one of these formulas that a mishap emerged and the company sought our help.   

Before our intervention, in fact, the production workers were handling extremely volatile powders such as the fixing resin Luvimer® 100 P and the emulsifier Luviskol® K30 Powder in potentially explosive atmospheres.

The mixing of the two substances, necessary to make the hairsprays, takes place in fact in an ATEX environment but the manual transport forced staff to expose themselves to potential health and safety risks.

Even in compliance with all current regulations, the workers had to take the required dose of powder (30 litres) from the 200 litre batch, climb onto the appropriate ladder and pour the powder into the various production tanks.

A risky, as well as dispersive and imprecise operation, which the company was intending to solve through technology.  

Maximum safety thanks to the ATEX pump by Movingfluid  

It was clear, in fact, that man needed to be replaced by a machine, but which machine?

When we got in touch, SOCO S.p.A had already identified the ARO® pumps, of which we are authorized distributors. Certainly high-performance devices, but not suitable for the specific case because they are too bulky for the available space and too powerful for the quantities to be transported (30 kg in 7-8 minutes).

It wasn’t the first time we had to find a solution for dense phase powder transport, so we responded quite immediately: our ATEX certified pneumatic pump was needed.

Thanks to this pump, in fact, the company was able to completely avoid workers’ exposure to the powder of the substances being mixed: where previously it was necessary to tear the barrel to obtain the necessary quantity, now a small hole is enough for the delivery pipe; manual transport has been replaced by automatic suction; the action of pouring into the tank – with the consequent diffusion of fumes and fine particulates into the air – was now done by the pump, minimizing the dangers related to inhalation, combustion and environmental pollution.

The only actions required by staff are connecting the tube to the batch for withdrawal, and the opening-closing of the valve to cut-off the circuit and regulate the quantity of product to be sent to the four tanks present. All tanks fed – simultaneously or alternatively – by the same device, within the capacity limits.  

A great result for a pump that, in simple terms, we can say runs on air! 

A 100% safe and efficient pump 

The pneumatic pump uses compressed air to transfer powders and granules (with a grain size between 10 and 500 microns) from the source point to the target point. Operation is based on four propeller tubes that open and close asynchronously, thus creating a continuous and customizable flow of intake and release.

The quantity transported can be easily adjusted via a pressure reducer, with a flow rate ranging from 0 to 8 kg per minute, based on mixing needs. This also allows for the pressure inside the tank or reactor to be controlled, minimizing the presence of outgoing dust and avoiding contamination and dispersion.

Guaranteed benefits even in the case of long distances, since the pneumatic pump can transport materials up to 40 meters and with height differences of up to 10 meters, thanks to the constant differential pressure. A feature exploited by SOCO S.p.A itself which preferred to install it outside the ATEX zone to make the process even safer for its employees.

Among other qualities, also the compact size, which allow it to be inserted in production areas with limited space and to be easily integrated into existing systems. Very simple to use, it can be connected to a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) for automatic management, and is also suitable for many other applications. 

Not just for hairspray: other possible applications in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical sectors 

The polymers used by the Turin-based company are not the only ones that can be safely handled by the ATEX pump offered by Movingfluid.

Numerous companies in the cosmetic and trichological sector can use this system to produce shampoo, sprays, make-up, skincare and body products, which require the use of other volatile, abrasive, potentially flammable or toxic powders such as:  

• micronized talc
• silicon dioxide
• titanium dioxide
• carbon black and other pigments

to name just a few.

Also the chemical-pharmaceutical field could benefit from this application for the transport of excipients and active products to be mixed, such as niacinamide or salicylic acid. 

Safety, savings, precision: the sought-after and achieved advantages 

The pump installation and start-up process took approximately two months, including the system setup work carried out by the customer and the brief training required on its use.

Although there is a rather complex mechanism behind it, getting it to work is really simple and does not require any particular skills or specializations.

The main advantage sought – and achieved – by SOCO S.p.A was to increase operator safety. An objective also ensured by the immediacy of cleaning operations: in fact, a blast of compressed air is enough to remove residues from the system.  

In addition to the main advantage, the company was also able to appreciate “secondary” ones related to the introduction of this pump into its production line, namely precision and savings.

Savings provided by the reduction of product waste which previously settled on the external surfaces of the tanks and was therefore not used.

The scale connected to the system allows you to determine the exact amount of powder expected from the mixture before the circuit is activated, without the operator having to do so – with methods that are not always impeccable.    

Safety, savings, precision: if you’re looking for a solution that combines all these features, just contact us. 

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