How to solve the problem of clogging caused by concentrated crystals?
Thread Content
In the three-effect thiamine concentration and crystallization unit newly installed in our factory, the inlet of the discharge pump is often clogged due to too high a crystal concentration, making cleaning a very troublesome task I wonder if anyone has any methods to effectively control the discharge concentration and solve the problem of blockages?
Pipeline preheating and insulation. Hot water or steam can also be connected to the inlet in order to preheat the material before it is fed in; however, the more important purpose is for rinsing after the material has been discharged. It’s acceptable to sacrifice a slight amount of material concentration, as this saves a lot of trouble. When using steam, it is important to pay attention to safety, as those who operate such equipment often lack the necessary professional skills. Flushing after discharging the material is arguably the most common method of treatment. The discharge valve can also be modified; currently, many systems use upward-opening valves, which can effectively prevent crystal buildup at the valve.
Remember to clean the pipes and feed pumps regularly with hot water. Blockages usually result from a gradual accumulation over time; if blockages still occur even after thorough cleaning, it means the feed pump does not have sufficient power, and it needs to be replaced. As for controlling the concentration of the output material, I think this is a problem related to your manufacturing process. If a high concentration is required for crystallization, then it’s not possible to adjust the concentration of the output material. (Of course, the concentration can be controlled during the concentration step by regulating the amount of steam used.) I’m just offering some minor suggestions; the person in charge will need to think carefully about this on their own.
Here are several methods for you to consider: 1. Add a heat tracing line to the pipeline to maintain the temperature at a level where crystallization does not occur. (A type of electric heating; the temperature can be set, and it is generally automatically controlled.) ) 2. A washing water pipeline is added to the inlet pipe of the pump to dilute the concentration of the material inside the pipe. (This method will reduce the material concentration; if a specific concentration for the material is required, it is recommended not to use this method.) 3. Install a steam pipe on the inlet pipeline of the pump, and use steam to clean the pipeline after each batch of material is transferred.
I would recommend adopting two measures at the same time. First, install a heating device such as an electric heater or a heat exchanger. Second, add a hot water washing bypass at the pump’s inlet. Remember, it’s best to use hot water to clean the pipes after the material has passed through them; if cold water is used, the pipes might get clogged, which would be a loss in both terms – not a good deal. Therefore, it’s better to use hot water for cleaning the pipes