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The installation of the Self Cleaning Russell Eco Filter enables Flexcrete to maintain short lead times and quick delivery of its range of hygienic liquid paints.
Since 1983, Flexcrete has been setting industry standards for high performance coatings and technical mortar solutions worldwide. Flexcrete offers a wide range of coatings solutions for small cosmetic repairs right through to major construction and infrastructure projects. Due to global expansion, customer demand increased in the liquid emulsions business, which prompted Flexcrete to invest in a filtration solution that would not only help to increase production rates but also enhance product quality.
MEETING THE NEEDS
At Flexcrete’s factory in Leyland, UK, new developments in hygienic liquid emulsions required a more stringent filtration process to ensure the highest product quality. While attending an exhibition in search of filtration equipment, Flexcrete approached Russell Finex to see if it could offer a solution. After an initial consultation, Flexcrete was confident that the Self-Cleaning Russell Eco Filter could meet its filtration requirements and a trial was arranged. John Morphet, Senior Materials Engineer comments: "The trial was arranged at our manufacturing facilities very quickly, which enabled us to test it with our whole process line for proof of concept.”
The process begins with pigments and thickening solutions being added to raw materials, which is then thoroughly mixed. The liquid emulsion is then pumped through the Self-Cleaning Russell Eco Filter to remove all foreign impurities, such as dried pieces of coagulated or unmixed paint. After the paint has been filtered, the emulsion is decanted into containers. "Due to our short lead times, it was important the filtration process did not slow down manufacture of the paint. The Russell Eco Filter will achieve this and even allow us to increase production rates as we expand,” comments Morphet.
With the filter meeting the throughput rates of the process, Flexcrete recognised it would easily meet the requirements of its production process and, therefore, purchased a Self-Cleaning Russell Eco Filter. "We chose the EF603 model from Russell Finex due to its straight through design allowing the unit to be easily installed without disrupting any existing pipe work. It is also extremely easy for operators to strip down and clean the filter between colour batches, minimising production downtime,” explains Morphet.
SELF-CLEANING
Compared to other industrial filters, which use consumable filter bags or cartridges, the Self-Cleaning Russell Eco Filter utilises a self-cleaning system along with a stainless steel mesh screen, offering significantly enhanced throughput rates, while reducing blockages and waste.
"The Russell in-line filter fulfils the need of our liquid emulsions business and offers a very high throughput rate, which helps us maintain our short lead time and quick delivery of our product” concludes Morphet.
