MechChem Africa September 2017

⎪ Pump systems, pipes, valves and seals ⎪

Travaini Pumps is one of a few global companies able to objectively recommend the best vacuum unit for a specific application, because it specialises in liquid ring and rotary vane vacuum pump options, amongst others. This article introduces he company and its history. Travaini: the all-technologies vacuum pump specialist

the assembly area and then transport the as- sembled pumps to the test room, all without being touched by human hands. This new technologically advanced assembly process reduces manufacturing times and shortens delivery lead times, while reducing errors to virtually zero. In 2007, after 54 years of total dedication as president, Mario Travaini left the chair of the Group to his son Carlo Arturo Travaini (Carlo junior) who had by then already been the company’s technical and R&D director for over 20 years. In 2012 Pompetravaini acquired 80% of the Swiss company, NSB gas processing AG, based in Basel, now Pompetravaini-NSB AG, whichdesigns andproduces pumps, compres- sors and engineered skids for the oil & gas, nuclear,pharmaceuticalandchemicalsectors. Then in 2014, BORA Blowers, a company specialising in lobeblowers andboosters, was acquired by the Pompetravaini Group. With all the new acquisitions, the inter- national subsidiaries and the very capable distributorandagentnetwork,Pompetravaini is now an international group that exports to over 80 countries offering solid experience and products of the highest standards. InSouthAfrica,Air&VacuumTechnologies has been the sole agents for the full Travaini range for almost 10 years now, and the brand is growing from strength to strength. q

P ompetravaini S.p.A. was founded in 1929 by the late Carlo Travaini, an experienced machinist with solid production experience, who started his own business under the name of Travaini Mechanical Machining, producing many different types of pumps under private labels with designs andmaterials supplied by customers. Carlo’s son, Mario Travaini, renamed the company in 1968 to Pompetravaini (Travaini Pumps) and began selling products into the European market under its own label. In 1982 a new site of approximately

8 000 m 2 was built in the industrial area of CastanoPrimo inMilan, Italy, while an expan- sion into international markets was under- taken.In1985, PremierFluidSystemsCanada started operating followed, in 1986, by TravainiPumpsUSA.In1989TravainiPompen BeNeLuxwas founded in theNederlands and two years later, in 1991, Travaini Pumpen in Germany was formed. Pompes Travaini France followed in 1999. In 2002 therewas another addition to the existing plant: a building of approximately 4000m 2 wasaddedtohouseanewcomputer- ised stock roomandassembly room. Aheadof its time, this plant uses laser-guided vehicles (LGVs) to store components, bring them to

Travaini liquid ring vacuum pumps and compressors are developed using the latest technologically advanced machinery.

GEMÜ 567 BioStar: the big specialist for small quantities The GEMÜ 567 BioStar control valve is the new, safe solution for media controls from 0.08 to 4.1 m³/h.

improved by the hygienic construction. Further special features include the op- tional integration of a bypass function and the potential installation of the diaphragm globevalve inamulti-port valveblock (GEMÜ M-block). In the bypass version, the angle valve body can be designedwith amanually operated bypass or with a pneumatically operated bypass. Both versions allow for easier cleaning and greater flows. The 567 BioStar control valve is used, for example: for dosing small quantities in the beverage industry; for in-line mixers for

The sealing takes placevia aPTFEdiaphragmwithPDtechnology (plug diaphragm), which combines the advantages of a diaphragm valve with those of a globe valve. This valve is available with linear control characteristics and with equal-percentage control characteristics. Aseptic diaphragm valves are frequently used as control valves for sterile applications. This means that small volumes can only be controlledwithan inadequate level of accuracy, or not at all. Thenew 2/2-way diaphragmglobe valvewith regulating needle or regulating cone fills these gaps. The actuator is sealed by an FDA-compliant and USP Class VI-compliant PTFE diaphragm. In combination with a spring washer, this ensures that the seal is permanently tempera- ture-resistant,meaningthatthediaphragmneednotbere-tightened. In comparisonwithbellows valves, cleaning the valve is significantly

vitamins, dyes and other additives; for controlling sterile steamand air; or for controlling the inflow and outflow of bioreactors in the pharmaceutical industry. q

September 2017 • MechChem Africa ¦ 19