Vernacare Vortex, Technical Manual, Page: 15 / 42

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3 General Description
3.1 General description
The “Vernacare Vortex” macerator is designed to operate within a 2-minute cycle
using 25 litres +/-10% of water. The machine can dispose of up to four ‘Vernacare”
disposable pulp products, at one time.
The products are placed within the hopper; the lid is closed and secured by the
handle catch. The lid is closed against a moulded silicone section which gives an
effective seal whilst maintaining an abrasion resistant face.
When the lid catch is fully closed, the lid proximity sensor is made via a magnet and
the lid interlock is energised locking the lid. In the event of the solenoid failing, or the
lid-lock being physically disengaged, the interlock switch will stop the cycle.
The cycle is initiated by, momentarily, depressing the start switch, at which point the
machine will give an ‘audible sound’ and the cycle will commence.
An auto-start
option is also available. Contact Vernacare for more information.
The display screen will then indicate the machine is ‘Running’ and the icons at the
bottom of the screen will show the status of operation. (See section 2.7)
In the event of low water level, blocked blades or power failure, the fault will be
clearly displayed upon the display screen and the cycle stopped. The Vortex will
remain in this condition until the fault is cleared.
When the fault has been rectified, the start switch is to be held on for approximately 5
seconds until there is an ‘audible sound’. This clears the display and resets the cycle to
its last state prior to the fault. The cycle will then continue.
The 2-minute cycle is controlled by a pre-programmed microchip, which controls the
operation and timing of the water pump, the cutter motor and the inlet, outlet and
deodoriser solenoid valves.
Shortly after commencement of the cycle, the water pump starts to take water from
the reservoir tank and pumps it to the following areas:
a) The lid spray , which provides a curtain of water, which washes over the lid and tub
sides and provides the bulk of the ‘tub fill’ water.
b)
The mechanical seal flush , which flushes and cools the outer faces of the
mechanical seal and helps prevent ingress of dirt and fibres into the mechanical seal
cavity.
c)
The diaphragm drain valve , where water is fed through the non-return and inlet
solenoid valve to the back of the diaphragm drain valve, the water outlet is shut off
by the normally closed outlet solenoid valve, and the developing pressure expands
the diaphragm drain valve to form a seal.
The combined water from a, b and c above builds up inside the tub whilst the pump
runs for a pre-set time period to put 12 litres (+/- 10%) of water into the tub.
When the outlet valve has closed and the volume of water is building up in the tub, the
displaced air is vented away through the drain by the vent valve and non-return valve
arrangement, i.e. the non-return valve prevents the egress of air from within the tub into
the atmosphere.