Roberts Mart is a leading flexible packaging manufacturer based in Leeds. Formed in 1852 it is a family business which has a strong emphasis on technical capability. Roberts Mart offers all types of print packaging and has a wealth of experience across the board in their metier.
Wm G Search is a nationally known company involved in portable building hire to industry and event, effluent removal and compressed air to name just some of their activities. Search’s compressed air division has 60 years experience of providing equipment and service to local companies.
Until 1994 Roberts Mart had been using an OWAMAT condensate management system manufactured by BEKO TECHNOLOGIES and supplied by Search. In 2004 Roberts Mart moved into a state of the art manufacturing and warehousing facility at Thomas Farm Business Way in Leeds. A decision was made to install the compressed air plant in the main work space on the grounds that rotary screw compressors are quiet, vibration free and have no special foundation or mounting requirement. However it was soon noticed that a jelly like material was forming in the condensate separator. Search was called in to look at the problem and tried a biocide to break down the jelly but this did not provide a solution. The jelly blocked the OWAMAT and soon the condensate was overflowing into the area by the compressor plant. There was also a side issue that because there were no foul drains in the vicinity that condensate had to be pumped up and over a 3m shutter door.
Search has had a long relationship with BEKO TECHNOLOGIES who specialise in condensate drains and management systems. BEKO were called in to look at the problem which was well known to BEKO because the printing industry has generally the problem that material from the printing process together with water and compressor oil form a stable emulsion i.e. one which will not separate out with gravity alone, even given longer time periods. BEKO took samples and analysed the condensate constituents to be 100% sure. The solution for this problem was a condensate splitting plant, BEKOSPLIT which meters a flocculent material, Bentonite, into the condensate. The Bentonite encapsulates the oil/dirt contamination mixture into macro flocs which are then easy to filter and be disposed. BEKO determined the correct dosage, the BEKOSPLIT was installed, Search designed and installed a pump system for the door problem. The system has been operating correctly subsequently.
Robert Marts comments “For many years we have had issues with emulsified condensate due to our printing atmosphere and tried all manner of solutions, nothing worked. As we are supplying packaging for various consumer industries, our high standards of cleanliness don’t allow for problematic plant that may be prone to spillages on the floor. Through working with Search and BEKO technical support team they specified a BEKOSPLIT Emulsion splitting plant to take care of the condensate. As soon as this was installed our problem was resolved immediately, we have been operating with the BEKOSPLIT very successfully for Two years. We are delighted with the product and service support from both Search and BEKO”