Variable-pitch screw vacuum pump
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There is a drain port below the outlet silencer of the variable-pitch screw vacuum pump; due to a lack of nitrogen, compressed air was used to break the vacuum in the reaction vessel, which caused air to enter the vacuum system. The outlet of the screw pump was at high temperature, and a large amount of solvent in the lower part of the silencer’s condensate collection tank was ignited by air at that high temperature, resulting in burning. It is fortunate that the gas phase exiting the vacuum pump and going to the condenser is cooled by ethylene glycol and the system is under negative pressure. Otherwise, the consequences will be unimaginable. Dear experts, have you encountered similar issues before? Are there any good preventive measures or solutions?
Regarding your question, here are some possible preventive and corrective measures: 1. Regularly inspect and maintain the vacuum pump: Ensure that it is functioning properly to minimize problems caused by equipment failures. 2. Install additional filtering equipment: By adding filters at the liquid discharge outlet, it is possible to effectively filter out harmful substances from the recompressed air, thereby reducing the risk of the solvents present in the air catching fire. 3. Use a pressure switch: Install a pressure switch between the vacuum pump and compressed air; when a lack of nitrogen is detected, it automatically switches to compressed air, thereby preventing human error. 4. Improve operator training: Enhance operators’ understanding of equipment operation to avoid mistakes. 5. Improve the efficiency of the condensation system: Ensure that ethylene glycol can effectively cool down, preventing hot air from entering the system. The above are some possible preventive and corrective measures; specific adjustments will still be necessary depending on the actual circumstances. .
Would it be better to connect a shut-off valve to the air inlet and set up a delayed nitrogen purge after shutdown?