Fragrances & Flavours
2. Raw material containers positioned below the dosing valves
For containers positioned below the dosing valves, the containers remain under nitrogen pressure
until they are completely empty.
For automatic refilling, the standard quick-release vent fitting should be replaced with
a compact 3/8" three-way valve. The nitrogen/product filling line should also be modified
by replacing the standard ball valve with a motorized valve.
Once the container is empty, the nitrogen supply is shut off, the vent is opened, and,
once atmospheric pressure has been reached, the motorized valve on the filling pump opens
and the refilling process starts automatically, without operator intervention.
To reduce the weight of the valve and the pump hose, a removable actuator could be suspended
from the ceiling using a spring balancer, working like a tool that can be connected only when required.
1. Raw material containers positioned above the dosing valves
For containers positioned above the dosing valves, where the product can be dosed simply
by gravity, the nitrogen connection can be replaced by a vent during normal operation.
Once the nitrogen pressure has been reduced to atmospheric pressure, the flexible raw-material
filling hose can also be connected.
When the active container becomes empty, a small pneumatic valve, similar to a standard
Festo valve costing less than €50, automatically connects the nitrogen supply to the drum pump
and starts the refilling process. A single valve can serve up to 50 or more containers.
The nitrogen pressure would be approximately 0.25–0.30 bar.
Two independent safety systems should be provided to prevent overpressure:
a safety relief valve and a rupture disc.
How it works
Each storage container has two rear connections
a large filling connection with a double-sealed dry-break quick coupling,
and a smaller connection that acts as either a nitrogen inlet or a vent.
A low-pressure nitrogen drum pump (0.25–0.30 bar)
transfers product from a drum tilted against the pallet edge and the floor,
with its suction tube reaching one corner
recovering virtually all of the remaining product and leaving
the drum almost completely dry, without dripping when the pump is removed.
Why it matters
Only a few minutes of production interruption;
no mixing between raw-material lots; accurate, real-time inventory;
better cleanliness and operator safety; no long permanent transfer lines;
minimal spill risk; high product recovery from every drum.
The simpliest possible pump
The product-contact section is essentially
a single stainless-steel tube, making the pump
extremely easy to clean and minimizing dead zones.
Press One Button. Nitrogen Does the Rest
Automatic Refilling
Two refilling modes using nitrogen pump
Nitrogen pump for 200 Lt
Alternative Refilling System: Easy Washable Drum Pump
Another possible solution is to use an easy washable drum pump kit,
allowing the entire pump assembly to be replaced quickly and simplifying
cleaning and product changeover.
More Images of Automatic Refilling
