SPCI 99: Ahlstrom Pumps plays a fanfare for MCE
Stand A05:20 was the scene of trumpet fanfares for yesterday's public launch of Ahlstrom Pumps' new MCE Pumping System, the third-generation pumping system using the company's new MCE Medium-Consistency Pump.Following on from the first-generation pumps launched in 1980, and the second generation MCA/MCV systems which came onto the market during the 1988-1991 period, the MCE outstrips its ancestors in a number of important ways. As well as being able to handle capacities of up to 4,000 air-dry tpd and pump heads of up to 180 m (for specified applications, even up to 210 m), the new system can also deal with higher pumping consistencies and consumes less energy then before. The pump's Fluider Impeller also allows operation at a wide range of temperatures and pressures, according to Ahlstrom Pumps.Although this was the first broad public announcement about the system, sales of the MCE are already well into double figures, according to Reijo Vesala, Product Manager, MC Equipment. The first of the MCE pumping systems came on stream right at the end of last year, moving pulp from a washer to a bleaching reactor, via an Ahlmix chemical mixer. The most recent order was within the last two weeks. Although Vesala was reluctant to name any companies who have ordered the system, he did reveal that buyers of the new system were to be found in Finland, Sweden, Japan, North America, Switzerland and Spain.Asked to name one reason for choosing this pumping option, Vesala was quick to claim "remarkable total process savings". With no increase in installed power or drives, the system will boost pump head and the pressure in the bleaching reactor, reducing consumption of bleaching chemicals, he said. Also, it allows "pumping at high temperatures and consistencies but with low inlet pressure", explains Vasala, adding that this saves both on steam costs and on the layout in the mill.