A manufacturer of anti-depressants and organic intermediates for the pharmaceutical industry is using a W Range pump with extended hopper to increase process efficiency at its plant.

The W Range pump has been installed at the primary stage of production, to transfer solid organic matter from the filtration unit to the reactor. The filter cake is discharged into a stainless steel hopper, which is fitted with sprinklers to help re-slurry the solids.  The pump then transfers the slurry back to the reactor vessel.  The purpose of the system is to recover the organic acid used in the process.

The pump enables the process to run faster, more efficiently and cleaner, as the filter cake remains intact as it is transferred into the hopper, reducing the need for further handling.  A customised hopper ensures that all the product is gathered into the throat of the pump, and the pump baseplate was supplied on wheels enabling it to be moved along the filter.