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Chemical Transfer

Chemical Transfer

Problem: A major U.S. paint manufacturer uses 3” air operated double diaphragm pumps (AODD) in their tank farm to transfer ingredients to their paint blending process area. One of the main ingredients is titanium dioxide (TiO2) which is both high in specific gravity and very abrasive. The 3” AODD pumps sit at the bottom of holding tanks that are 25 feet tall. Pump inlet pressure is high and this combined with the characteristics of the TiO2 acts to shorten normal pump diaphragm life. When an unexpected diaphragm failure occurs, several thousand gallons of TiO2 can be lost because when a pump diaphragm fails, the TiO2 is pulled through the diaphragm on the pump’s suction stroke and then expelled out the air exhaust.

Deep Well Injection

Deep Well Injection

Problem: Hydroplex HP-350 triplex plunger pump (0.75 gpm at 10,000 psi) for high pressure deep well methanol injection in an oil & gas upstream pumping application. On the discharge side of the pump, the amount of methanol the pump is dosing is metered. Without a dampener to control pulsations and smooth out the flow, the installed flow meters will not give accurate readings. Additionally, when using a triplex pump it is important that all three chambers of the pump stay full of fluid with no voids. Any voids or pockets can cause seals to leak, pump vibration and excess pump noise.

Coating Filtration Line

Coating Filtration Line

Problem: A painting operation for a skid manufacturer in North Carolina uses a large quantity of bag filters throughout the paint line to filter rinse water and various coatings and paints. Paints and coatings were clogging the gauges causing the gauges on the bag filters to give false readings. The incorrect gauge readings led to poor filtration, due to infrequent bag changes, and manufactured parts were getting rejected in QC.

Hydrochloric Acid

Hydrochloric Acid

Problem: Using a reciprocating diaphragm pump creates a turbulent product flow which causes excess vapors and product aeration.

Tank Truck

Tank Truck

Problem: Blacoh was contacted by a large manufacturer of bulk chemicals. They use air operated diaphragm pumps (AODD) to load chemicals into tanker trucks through a 20' flexible 3" reinforced hose that lies on a concrete floor. The pulsation generated by their AODD pumps caused the hose to shake back and forth, scuffing the hose on the concrete floor and causing "hose abrasion". Ultimately, these hoses would fail from abrasion due to the scuffing action. This failure meant considerable downtime, lost product, extensive cleanup, and hose replacement, all of which came with an associated cost.

Pharmaceutical

Pharmaceutical

Problem: A leader in the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals uses a Goulds 3196 centrifugal pump size 1x1.5-8 to transfer 35 gallons/minute of acetone at 30 psi from the tank farm into the clean storage room. There is an automatic actuating valve in the line that opens and shuts upon plant demand. This quick shutting valve is sending pipe hammer down the line and causing shaking of the pipes, leaks, pipe hangers pulled from the ceilings, and damage to the pump, resulting in costly, unwanted repairs.