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Operations & Maintenance

Proportional (2 Point) Vacuum Control

In our prior post, we talked about using variants of the classic PID algorithm in order to control vacuum processes.  In the simplest form, the PID control loop can be reduced to a P-only, or 2-point, algorithm.  For example, by…

Approaches to Vacuum Control

Establishing good control over vacuum processes has numerous benefits, such as helping to improve process yields, achieve more repeatable results, and reduce process times.  And there are several options for controlling vacuum processes to achieve these various benefits.  This post…

Detecting Thermal Fluid Leaks – Thermal Fluid Leakage: Part 1 of 3

DETECTION One of the simplest leak detectors for thermal fluid is the smoke that shows up when the hot fluid is exposed to air. The amount of smoke depends on the size of the leak, the temperature of the fluid and…

Operating Cost Benefits of Oil-Free Vacuum – Part 2

In part 1 of this white paper, we reviewed the general advantages of using dry, chemical-resistant diaphragm pumps for process scale-up applications.  In part 2, we will delve into the process of configuring the mini-plant in order to realize the…

Operating Cost Benefits of Oil-Free Vacuum – Part 1

Introduction Historically, mini-plants have utilized oil-sealed rotary vane vacuum pumps as a vacuum source because they provide relatively high flow rates and because they can reach relatively deep vacuum levels, such as 10-3 mbar. The same can be said of…

Dry, Chemical Resistant Vacuum for Process Development and Kilo Labs

VACUUBRAND's dry, chemical resistant pumps provide an ideal solution for use in process development, scale-up work, and kilo labs.  With no sealing fluid to replace, our dry pumps provide a low maintenance, low operating cost alternative to oil-sealed rotary vane…

Challenges of Handling Filamentous and Viscous Wastewater Sludge

Excessive growth of filaments and biopolymers in activated sludge should be controlled in CPI wastewater-treatment plants, as both lead to sludge that is hard to handle. The sticky behavior of such sludge can be minimized by the addition of polyaluminum…

Significance of Flash Fire Points

FLASH AND FIRE POINTS IN HEAT TRANSFER FLUIDS Download as a PDF file FLASH POINT DEFINED A “flashpoint” is the temperature at which a fluid generates enough vapor to be ignited (“flash”). There are two common test methods: Open Cup (ASTM D92) and Closed…

Preventing Fires in Thermal Oil Heat Transfer Systems

PREVENTING FIRES IN THERMAL OIL HEAT TRANSFER SYSTEMS  PDF DOWNLOAD AT BOTTOM OF PAGE Thermal fluids have proven exceptionally safe in a wide range of industries. However, it is difficult to completely prevent fires in these systems because the necessary…

Diaphragm Vacuum Pumps in Process Operations

Vacuum is a very widely used utility in the process industries – from pharmaceutical and chemical to food and biotechnology. While some applications require fairly deep vacuum – so-called “fine” vacuum – many other operations rely on vacuum in the…