It is obvious that for the process to work efficiently and without problems, it is necessary to choose the right equipment in the right places for the process. This once again proved to be true, when Michigan Sugar was facing problems with valves in a well-oiled, meticulous system that was getting jammed up by a simple cast-iron butterfly valve. Another problem they faced was with pumping calcium. The plates of the pump were wearing out too fast and the costs were thus unbearable.

Finding reliable operations and easy maintenance services

Ten years ago, Valmet experts for Flowrox products were presented with several issues at a few of the Michigan sugar plants. One was a well-oiled, meticulous system that was jammed up by a simple cast-iron butterfly valve with an EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) sleeve. The valve helped regulate the two-inch “milk of lime” line, which contained a mixture of sugar juice and lime. The milk of lime is a gritty texture that was eating away at the liner of the butterfly valve, which was holding up production every two weeks, sometimes even once a day.

The other issue the plants faced included a hydra cell pump, a type of sulfate slurry diaphragm pump to move calcium that operates at around 65ºC / 150ºF. This application helps dewater the pulp, which in turn reduces drying time. The plant was wearing out the stainless-steel plates for €1,800 / $2,000 every six weeks.

Michigan sugar was in critical need of a reliable and effective solution. They were recommended to try out Flowrox products that are known to hold up in the demanding production conditions that span across a wide range of industries including sugar production, mining, oil, and gas, as well as chemical and wastewater treatment plants, among many others.