Newly developed diaphragm pump for micro-flow metering in High-Pressure Laboratories

Lewa GmbH has developed the Intellilab, a hermetically sealed high pressure micro-metering pump. With the integrated motion control system the Intellilab is a mechatronic design in total.

The Intellilab was developed for metering and conveying tasks of up to 500 bar, especially in high-pressure laboratories in which new small scale process technologies are carried out. Lewa GmbH has retained the pump technology from he Intellilab's predecessors and equipped it with the latest in drive and control technology, the Lewa Intellidrive. This permits highly dynamic regulation of the drive side’s angular velocity so that, in combination with different control structures, the fluid kinematics can be specifically targeted to the needs of the process.

In the table housing there is a built-in pump head that permits to use the special operation of the servo motor to generate low-pulsation volume flows. The metered flow over time can also be modelled nearly arbitrarily.

The hydraulically coupled metal diaphragm represents the latest technical state-of-the-art technology. Leakage to the outside and contact of the metered fluid with air are impossible because the impermeable metal diaphragm seals the fluid hermetically against the atmosphere and the hydraulic displacer system. Since the displacement system is based on wear-free, maintenance-free hydraulic oil, stuffing box problems are eliminated. The rigid hydraulic linkage also keeps the influence of the pressure on the metering flow to a minimum.

The Intellilab is primarily used for exact, reproducible metering in the processes of high pressure synthesis and high pressure hydration. The use of the smallest possible experimental structures with correspondingly small metering quantities, particularly in research, also significantly reduces the consumption of materials deposited.

The new, user-friendly interface is adapted to the special needs of high pressure laboratories. For example, a timer function and ramp control are supported, and metered flows profiles can be parameterised and later executed. Visualisation using a coloured touchpad contributes to intuitive operation and simpler evaluation. It is possible to extend the Intellilab so that multiple devices can be synchronised seamlessly. Field tests with customers should provide additional options for improvement by the end of the year. Series production and market introduction are planned for 2014.