When excessive amounts of liquid carbon dioxide (CO2) vaporize while being pumped, the results can include reduced process efficiency and increased scrap product. U. S. company Haskel International has addressed this problem with the industry's first pumps specially designed to maintain liquefied CO2 temperatures below the flash point.

The new ALG Series CO2 pumps include a thermal insulator between the drive and liquid sections, cooling jackets around the barrel and cooling passages in the endcaps. These features eliminate the need for feed pumps and sub-coolers previously used in conjunction with traditional liquid pumps to maintain proper temperature in liquefied CO2 applications.

Efficiency and Environmental Advantages
The ability to pump liquefied CO2 reliably without costly extra equipment can help prevent both downtime and quality problems in food processing (carbonation, supercritical extraction of caffiene and tobacco), plastic and foam manufacture, welding, oil & gas (fractionation, extraction, processing) and other industries.
The new pumps will also enhance the efficiency of new applications for liquefied CO2 including precision cleaning for the electronics and aerospace industries and replacement of halocarbons in fire protection, the manufacturer reports. Cleaning with CO2 -- either in the supercritical state or as a forced vapor spray -- eliminates significant environmental hazards associated with traditional solvent-based (chloroflourocarbon) cleaning processes.

Eight Standard Models
The ALG Series includes eight models that transfer liquid carbon dioxide through a wide range of inlet and discharge pressures. Flow rates can be as high as 25 lbs/min and output pressures are from 1,200 psig to 12,000 psig.
The pumps are designed to minimize unswept volume, improve tolerance to flashing and promote self-flushing of vapor pockets. There is a bleed port in the liquid section to evacuate vapor without losing downstream pressure.
Single acting units use a three-way cycling spool allowing the pump piston to be returned by incoming liquid pressure. This eliminates suction inside the pump cavity on the inlet stroke, allowing the pump to run at maximum speed while minimizing any tendency to "flash" to gas.
Headquartered in Burbank, California, USA, Haskel International manufactures hydraulic and air-driven high-pressure gas boosters, pumps, air pressure amplifiers and related equipment. It distributes and services its products worldwide through company offices, subsidiaries and distributors in North America, South America, Europe, Asia and the Pacific Rim.

Caption:
New liquefied carbon dioxide pumps maintain temperatures below flash point for maximum operating efficiency.

For additional information, contact:
Haskel International Inc.
Peter Duffy
V. P. Sales and Marketing
100 East Graham Place
Burbank, CA 91502 USA
Tel +1 818-843-4000
Fax +1 818-841-4291
www.haskel.com