Individual assemblies for technological processes
Many chemical processes use quite often glass apparatus designed according to customer’s wish which are drawn up either as universal or single-purpose, however, always with the aim at constructing a functional and, at the same time, the simplest and, consequently, price-advantageous apparatus. Of a particular advantage is using of glass apparatus for assembling experimental and pilotplant units which can be modified as required and subsequently rebuilt, e.g. by replacement of some parts, to production units. Using of glass together with high-quality packing materials is particularly advantageous concerning its high chemical resistance, possibility of visual inspection of running processes, and easy monitoring of apparatuses assembled from a wide assortment of glass parts.
Before discussing the delivery of an apparatus assembly, the customer should clear up and specify several issues which can influence the apparatus design.
- This concerns the following data, in particular:
- quality requirements – analyses of materials at inlet and outlet, methods and precision of measurements, etc.,
- quantitative requirements – volumes, flowrates, amount of heat for heating and cooling, volume of wastes, measurement of consumptions and flowrates, etc.,
- process conditions – temperatures, pressures, corrosion effects on packing, handling of materials, labour safety and environmental protection, apparatus attendance, degree of danger of explosion, toxicity, etc. ,
- placement of the apparatus – size of the room, inlets, outlets and discharges of process matters, possibility of easy assembly, repairs and operation, accidental measures, outfit of the space (floors, walls, lighting, ventilation, safety devices), type of supporting structure, fixing of glass piping, etc.,
- connection to non-glass parts – kettles, pumps, fittings, filters, various gauges with technical data (dimensions and shape of endings, type of packing of expansion joints and bushings),
- scope of measurements, regulation and control – determination of measured (controlled) variables, location of sensors and their type with respect to corrosion resistance, explosion danger, etc.,
- specification of controllers, indicators, data transfer and registration,
- specification of way of control (manual, automatic) and choice of the control point and necessary actuators,
- handling of inlet raw materials, products and wastes – amount of transport containers (per shift, week), pumping from/into them, necessary process stock, etc.
The above mentioned issues should be addressed particularly in cases when the customer requires a “turn-key” delivery, including all guarantees. In case the customer solves its technological problems with its own means or solutions are provided by another organization, the delivery should be discussed.
Design of glass industrial apparatus can contain:
Glass apparatus parts
In combination with products made of stainless steels, enamelled parts, or plastic materials.
Apparatus assembly
For vacuum operation or for operation under normal pressure
Special glass parts
Piping parts of various lengths and combination of endings
UNI lids of various number of holes
Vaulted lids with different number of DN necks and combination of endings Stirrers, inflow and injection tubes, turbulence stops, and thermometer pockets
Supporting structure
Including supporting frames, angles, variator holders, and tube holders from surface-finished steel tubes or stainless-steel tubes
Supporting structure
Stationary of travelling
Flange joints
In versions up to 120 °C or 200 °C
Flange joints with bolts, nuts, washers, and/or steel springs with surface finish by glossy galvanizing, or jointing material from stainless steel
Packing
Soft, Sarlink SA or hard – teflon PTFE
Valves
Straight, angle or branch
Cocks
Ball or cone
Built-in bottom closure and valves
Controlled manually or pneumatically
Kettles
In graduated or ungraduated versions
Kettles
With plastic coat protecting the vessel against damage and against loss of vessel content
Packed columns
With filling of Raschig rings, polypropylene PALL rings, structured ceramics filling, oriented stainless-steel filling, or according to customer's wish.
Filtration nutsches
With stainless-steel or PTFE supporting plate for filter cloth
Stirrers
Paddle, propeller, anchor types, or according to customer's requirements.
Stirrers
From glass, stainless steel, PTFE, titanium, or according to customer's requirements.
Stirrer drives
Electric motors with gearbox, electric motors with frequency changer, or electric motors with variator and gearbox destined for Eex IIe T3 or T4 environment.
Pumps
Glass, regulating or non-regulating, or according to customer's requirements.
Sensors
of various variables, such as temperature, pressure, pH, redox value, oxygen content, conductivity
Thermometers
Glass or resistance for normal or Eex environment
Heating coils
Glass or stainless-steel for higher pressures of heating medium
Source of heating medium
Steam generators and oil thermostats, travelling or mounted into supporting structure. For flasks: electric heating mantle or electric resistance heating into pocket with a possibility of continuous regulation
Thermostats
Assembled directly into supporting structure, they can have one or two tubes, single or double jacket, with or without expansion vessel, in versions from surface-finished steel or stainless steel, with or without circulation pump of various heating output
Accessories
Such as compressors and vacuum pumps.
Switchboards
With complete wiring, with depicting of scanned variables or with recorders, with control of drives of stirrers, pumps, vacuum pumps, control of thermostat heating, and/or control of pneumatic valves Column DN 200 with storage flasks destined for vacuum operation