Kecol drum and IBC unloading systems — official representative in Ukraine

Kecol pumps are pneumatic piston pumps and drainage systems manufactured by the British company Kecol Pumping Systems Ltd. The manufacturing facility is located at Faraday Drive, Bridgnorth WV15 5BJ, Shropshire. The company is registered in England under number 6405042.

Kecol has over 20 years’ experience working with viscous products in the food processing, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. Its production facilities are ISO 9001 certified. All of the company’s pneumatic piston pumps hold ATEX certificate number TRAC09ATEX31229X. Kecol has distributors in around twenty countries. In Ukraine, the equipment is supplied by Steiner Ukraine.

The company has a narrow specialisation: products that do not flow on their own. Paste, cream, gel, adhesive, resin. Kecol pumps transfer such substances without prior heating — the manufacturer emphasises this with the word ‘cold’.

Which Kecol pumps can be ordered in Ukraine?

The product range consists of seven in-house product lines. In addition, Kecol distributes Wilden diaphragm pumps.

The hygienic range of drum pumps delivers up to 90 l/min, 175 bar and can handle solid particles up to 16 mm. All ranges are supplied with BSP female thread or clamp connections. A full list of Steiner Ukraine’s industrial pumps can be found in the section industrial pumps.

Barrel-emptying systems: Powerprime, Maxiprime, Megaprime

The three product ranges cover different viscosity and performance classes.

Powerprime is a single-station pneumatic system. The pressure plate generates pressure and ensures positive filling. The wiper ring cleans the inner walls of the barrel. Viscosity limit: 150,000 cP.

Maxiprime — dual cylindrical filling combined with a short-stroke piston pump. This allows the viscosity limit to be raised to 10,000 poise, i.e. 1,000,000 cP. The flow rate increases to 130 litres per minute. A mobile version is available.

Megaprime — It’s the same design as the Maxiprime. The difference lies in the maximum particle size: 15 mm instead of 12 mm.

The rationale behind the choice is simple. For up to 150,000 cP and small volumes — Powerprime. Paste with a viscosity of over 150,000 cP — Maxiprime. Paste with large inclusions — Megaprime.

Stubby and Viscous piston pumps

Stubby Pumps — piston pumps for handling highly viscous liquids and pastes. Parts in contact with the product are made from 316L stainless steel. Two construction types are available: bolted and hygienic clamp-on. Accessories include trolleys and pneumatic motors with adjustable stroke.

Viscous Pumps have two design features not found in other product ranges. Firstly, the pump can be shut down whilst under pressure without causing damage. Secondly, the flow rate and pressure can be adjusted whilst the pump is running. Parts in contact with the product are made of 316 stainless steel. Installation is possible in a vertical, horizontal or wall-mounted configuration. The construction features a hygienic clamp connection or 316L stainless steel tie-down bolts.

These two ranges are not intended for use with tanks, but as process pumps in a pipeline. They are not supplied with a pressure plate.

Powerlift and hinged racks: operation without manual lifting

Powerlift is a mobile stand on wheels that raises and lowers the pump. The purpose of the design is to eliminate the need to lift the pumping equipment by hand. The operator rolls the stand up to the drum and lowers the pump using the drive mechanism, rather than by hand.

Performance depends on the model: the painted and swivel versions deliver up to 45 litres per minute, whilst the stainless steel version delivers up to 90 litres per minute.

Articulated Units — floor-mounted, single-post pneumatic stands. They raise and lower the Kecol pump above a drum standing on a pallet. There is no need to remove the drum from the pallet before pumping. Flow rate — up to 90 l/min; solid particles — up to 15 mm. The Articulated Powerprime version is fitted with a pressure plate featuring a wiping ring.

Both groups are working towards the same goal: to reduce manual labour and the time taken to switch over between barrels.

What viscosity do Kecol pumps handle?

The upper limit for the Maxiprime and Megaprime ranges is 10,000 poise at room temperature. This is 1,000,000 cP, or 1,000,000 mPa·s.

As a guide: water at 20 °C has a viscosity of 1 cP; condensed milk has a viscosity of around 10,000 cP; tomato purée has a viscosity of tens of thousands of cP; and thick ointments or sealants have a viscosity of hundreds of thousands of cP.

The key word in the manufacturer’s description is ‘cold’, i.e. in a cold state. The product does not need to be heated before dispensing. This is crucial for heat-sensitive products: heating alters the structure of the cream, emulsion or chocolate filling.

The Powerprime and Viscous Pumps ranges can handle up to 150,000 cP. This is approximately seven times lower, but the systems are simpler and cheaper.

Hygienic manufacturing for the food and pharmaceutical industries

Kecol manufactures a range of hygienic barrel pumps. The pump pipes are made from 316L stainless steel. Parts in contact with the product are made from 316 stainless steel.

Two types of construction are available: threaded and hygienic clamp-type. The hygienic models are fitted with the Quick Strip quick-disassembly system and a quick-release coupling between the air motor and the pump tube. The pump can be removed from the drive without the need for tools.

This is required where cleaning takes place frequently — when changing products or batches. The pumps for food production supplied by Steiner Ukraine are assembled in in a separate section.

What certifications do Kecol pumps have?

An ATEX certificate bearing a specific number is the document that can be presented during workplace certification. All systems are pneumatically driven; there are no electric motors or electronic components in the design. By design, there are no ignition sources in the drive.

For solvents, adhesives, resins and paints and varnishes, this is often the decisive factor in the choice.

How to choose Kecol pumps at Steiner Ukraine

Six pieces of information are required for selection: the type and size of the container, the required flow rate in litres per minute, the product name, its viscosity when cold, the presence and maximum size of solid particles, and the type of outlet connection.

It is specified separately whether a hygienic design in 316 stainless steel is required and whether there is an explosion-hazard zone on site. Another consideration is the available pressure and flow rate of compressed air, as the drive is pneumatic.

Kecol systems are manufactured to fit specific containers, so the layout is agreed upon prior to production. This applies to the height of the rack, the diameter of the clamping plate and the type of attachment.

Steiner Ukraine supplies Kecol equipment, including design, configuration, commissioning and spare parts. The scope is described in the section services. Container drainage systems — in the section pumping and mixing systems. Sector-specific recruitment — in sector-specific solutions. Other featured brands can be found in the section manufacturers. The technical specifications of the original source are published at the Kecol website.

Frequently asked questions about Kecol pumps

Who manufactures Kecol pumps?
Kecol Pumping Systems Ltd is a British company based in Bridgnorth, Shropshire. It is registered in England under number 6405042. It claims to have over 20 years’ experience working with viscous products.

What viscosity range do Kecol pumps handle?
Up to 10,000 poise at room temperature, i.e. up to 1,000,000 cP. This applies to the Maxiprime and Megaprime ranges. Powerprime and Viscous Pumps can handle up to 150,000 cP.

Do you need to heat the product before pumping it out?
No. The manufacturer specifies the viscosity at room temperature. This is important for heat-sensitive products.

Do Kecol pumps run on mains electricity?
No. It is a pneumatic drive. A source of compressed air is required.

Can Kecol pumps be installed in a potentially explosive atmosphere?
Yes. All Kecol pneumatic piston pumps hold ATEX certificate number TRAC09ATEX31229X.

Which Kecol pump should I choose for a paste barrel?
Maxiprime, if the inclusion is up to 12 mm. Megaprime, if the inclusion is up to 15 mm. Powerprime, if the viscosity does not exceed 150,000 cP.

Does Kecol have equipment for handling barrels on pallets?
Yes. These are Articulated Units – they lift the pump above the drum, which does not need to be removed from the pallet.

Are Kecol pumps suitable for foodstuffs?
Yes, in a hygienic design. The pump pipes are made from 316L stainless steel, whilst the parts in contact with the product are made from 316.

Is it possible to order spare parts for Kecol pumps in Ukraine?
Yes. To make an enquiry, you’ll need the product line, model and serial number from the nameplate.