LSM pump ensures stable transport of clay slip at tile manufacturer in Boizenburg

Reliable pumping, gentle operation and faster hose replacement. At a German tile manufacturer, an LSM hose pump has proven to be a robust solution for transporting clay slip – even when the material contains foreign objects.

“It is the best thing that has ever happened to us.”

This is how Operations Manager Rainer Beyer describes his experience with the new LSM pump at the tile factory in Boizenburg on the Elbe.

The factory produces around 4 million m² of tiles per year and, with more than 220 employees, stable and reliable production is essential. An important part of the process is the transport of so-called clay slip – a viscous slurry consisting of clay, limestone and feldspar, which is subsequently processed in large horizontal mills.

A demanding task for the pump

The clay slip must be continuously transported to the mills at a capacity of around 7 m³ per hour. However, the material is not always completely homogeneous and may contain foreign objects larger than 1 cm.

This places demands on both the pump design and the durability of the hose.

In May 2021, an LSM hose pump was therefore installed as a new solution at the factory. After the first few months, the feedback was clear: The pump operated steadily, smoothly and without problems.

“We do not pump at maximum capacity, which is why the pump runs smoothly all the time,” explains Kurt Rosenthal, Head of the Materials Processing Department.

The low pumping pressure of around 2 bar and a rotor speed of just 20 revolutions per minute provide favourable operating conditions for the pump and, in particular, for the hose that is in direct contact with the medium.

The right installation makes the difference

An important part of the solution was not just the pump itself. As part of the installation, LSM also recommended changing the way the clay slip was routed through the system.

Previously, the material was pumped from the bottom upwards. With the new installation, the clay slip is instead transported from the top downwards.

This means that the material moves more with gravity rather than against it.

This is particularly beneficial because foreign objects in the clay slip tend to move downwards. This reduces the risk of foreign objects becoming trapped between the pump element and the inner wall of the hose.

The result is less stress on the hose and therefore better conditions for a long service life.

Around 3,000 operating hours – with potential for more

Under the current operating conditions, the hose is expected to have a service life of around 3,000 operating hours.

The low rotor speed and relatively low pumping pressure also suggest that the actual service life could be even longer.

“We are quite convinced that we can achieve an even longer service life with these favourable operating parameters, but let’s see,” says Rainer Beyer.

When the hose eventually needs to be replaced, there is another significant advantage compared with the factory’s previous system: Hose replacement has become both easier and faster.

This reduces the time required for maintenance and makes it easier to keep production running.

Fast delivery – even when production cannot wait

When the pump was ordered, production was already under considerable pressure. The order books were full, so there was no room for long delivery times.

LSM also met expectations in this respect.

Just one week after the order was placed, the pump was at the factory in Boizenburg.

With a net price of €12,200, the factory received a solution that could be delivered quickly and at a price the customer found attractive.

For the management team, the overall result is simple: smoother and more stable pumping, less risk of hose damage and significantly easier maintenance.

A solution that makes a difference in a production environment where operational reliability is crucial.

Project facts:

· Customer: Tile manufacturer, Boizenburg

· Capacity: Approx. 7 m³/hour

· Application: Clay slip consisting of clay, limestone and feldspar. A combination of pump technology, operating parameters and installation provided a stable solution with a long service life and simple maintenance.

· Motor power: 22 hp

· Result: Smoother and more stable pumping, less risk of hose damage and significantly easier maintenance.