Micro-metering pump with mechatronic control for micro flow measuring up to 500 bar
When testing new small-scale process technologies in high-pressure laboratories, maximum precision is required so that later upscaling will be as accurate as possible. To be able to work safely and without spillages at pressures up to 500 bar, Lewa has developed a hermetically sealed high-pressure micro-metering pump, which has been available since January 2015. An initial order is already being processed; a test machine is currently in use at a manufacturer of mini-plants. The Intellilab, equipped with state-of-the-art drive and control technology, is being presented at this year's ACHEMA trade show, which takes place from 15-19 June in Frankfurt.
The Intellilab is an evolution of the K3 and K5 micro-metering pumps, which have been used in high-pressure laboratories for decades. By using the drive and control technology Lewa Intellidrive the drive-side angular speed can be regulated during operation in a highly dynamic manner. The special operation of the servomotor allows the pump in the Intellilab table housing to be capable of generating low-pulsation volume flows. At a discharge pressure of up to 500 bar, flow rates between 10 and 500ml/h at an accuracy of ±1% are possible. In automatic mode, the pump can be controlled from a DCS via an analog signal (0/4-20mA). In combination with various control structures, the fluid kinematics can also be adapted to the requirements of the process, and the profile of the metered flow can be modeled in nearly any way. Metering flow profiles can be programmed and processed to schedule. Input and visualisation are carried out via a colour touchpad with intuitive usability.
The Intellilab is primarily used for metering in high-pressure synthesis and hydration processes as well as in mini-plant applications, because the fluid is hermetically blocked against atmosphere and the hydraulic system of the pump. Spillages to the outside and the danger of fluid coming into contact with air are eliminated by the hydraulically coupled metal diaphragm, which is particularly well-suited for very small metering flows. The pressure stiff hydraulic actuation of the diaphragm also keeps the impact of the pressure on the metered flow to a minimum.
The Lewa team can be found at ACHEMA in hall 8, booth C62.
