Tag Archives: chemical handling systems

Selecting Chemical Handling Equipment for Solvents and Acids

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When chemicals are used in a manufacturing process, chemical handling systems are Selecting Chemical Handling Equipment for Solvents and Acidscritical for accurate chemical delivery to the process equipment and the safe disposal of the chemical waste. Effective chemical handling systems are especially important for solvents and acids because of the corrosive nature and the dangers of unsafe handling of these chemicals. Finding the right chemical handling system for a manufacturing facility is often challenging because the applicable regulations have to be followed and worker safety has to be guaranteed. A competent manufacturer with extensive experience in chemical handling and a proven track record in chemical handling equipment can advise customers of the most appropriate system for their specific application.

Chemical Handling Equipment Functions and Features

Chemical handling equipment ensures the safe acquisition, use and disposal of hazardous chemicals used in manufacturing. Essential functions include the following:

  • Delivery: Chemicals have to be delivered to the process equipment in the quantities, mixtures and concentrations required. This requires accurate repeatability. We build all our delivery systems around your chemical drums. This includes single or double drums requirements.
  • Collection: Collection of hazardous chemicals takes place in a specially secured cabinet with containment and leak detection capabilities. Modutek’s systems are designed for use with Department of Transportation (DOT) approved drums for direct shipment for disposal.
  • Neutralization: This option is also available if chemical disposal becomes too expensive. Once chemical is neutralized properly chemicals can than drain directly to your main drain.

In addition to chemical handling equipment functionality, specific manufacturing applications may benefit from features that increase operational safety, reduce costs or improve manufacturing operations. For expensive chemicals, features that reduce chemical waste are important. Chemical handling equipment dealing with dangerous chemicals may have to include extra operator safety protections. Dangerous chemical waste is best neutralized next to the manufacturing process, but if that’s not possible, chemical collection systems can safely hold chemicals that will later be transported for off-site treatment. Chemical handling equipment often has to be customized to address the functions needed and make sure the required features are in place.

Modutek’s Line of Chemical Handling Equipment Can Meet Manufacturing Needs

Modutek can offer a complete line of chemical handling equipment that can customized for specific manufacturing needs. Modutek’s equipment line includes the following:

  • Acid neutralization systems. These compact systems add neutralizing chemicals to acid or alkaline waste. They feature low operating costs and either batch or continuous operation.
  • Chemical delivery systems. Chemicals are delivered to the process in exact quantities and at the right times. These systems reduce chemical waste and eliminate operator errors that cause spills.
  • Chemical lift stations. These stations pump chemicals directly from the process to the neutralization area. They can be incorporated into the process line and feature flow capacity adapted to process requirements.
  • Chemical collection systems. Chemicals are collected and stored locally near the process or remotely in large collection tanks. In the absence of neutralization, storage can be sized to process requirements and designed to permit transportation of the containers for off-site treatment.

Modutek’s chemical handling equipment is designed to ensure safe and precise handling of hazardous chemicals. Chemical use is lower due to reduced waste and workplace safety is increased. Neutralization and disposal of hazardous chemicals can be carried out in accordance with regulations and can be documented to demonstrate compliance. Modutek can offer solutions for the chemical handling needs of varied manufacturing operations and the company’s experience in the field and its in-house expertise lets it customize the equipment exactly as needed. Contact Modutek for a free consultation or quote on equipment for your specific manufacturing requirements.

Modutek Provides Solvent Delivery Pump Station for Large Pharmaceutical Company

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Modutek Provides Solvent Delivery Pump Station for Large Pharmaceutical CompanyWith over 35 years of experience in the semiconductor manufacturing industry, Modutek has the expertise to handle large projects and challenging applications. The most recent example is a solvent delivery pump supply for a large pharmaceutical company. Nine solvent pump cabinets are required to transfer solvents to centrally located distribution stations. The custom-built cabinets are subject to tight specifications and rigorous compliance with applicable standards.

Project Details

Modutek will supply nine solvent pumping cabinets, each containing two pneumatically operated pumps. The pumps will have pulse dampers and will be fitted with air-actuated ball valves on the inlets and discharge outlets of each pump. Pilot valves will control the supply of clean, dry air (CDA). A series of valves and monitoring systems controls and supervises the transfer of solvents to distribution points close to the process.

Each cabinet will have an ultrasonic leak detector housed in a one-inch pipe “T” at the lowest point in the cabinet. A drain On/Off selector switch will be mounted near the drain port on the outside of the cabinet, and a 4-20 ma pressure transmitter will be mounted on the outside of each cabinet so the local display can be read easily.

Pump Cabinet Operation

The pumps will be controlled by a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) and will deliver up to four gallons per minute. Solvents handled include acetone, methanol, ethyl acetate, heptane, isopropyl acetate and methyl tert-butyl ether. The system is rated up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit, and the passivation of the stainless steel parts is per ASTM standards. The pressure drop can be controlled through the PLC and the installation must be FDA compliant.

When a request for a pump is received, the drain valve On function is disabled and the pilot valve supplying CDA to the pump opens. The pump inlet and discharge ball valves open allowing solvent to flow past the pressure transmitter to the process. If a leak is detected in the pipe “T,” the pilot valve and the corresponding ball valves close, stopping transfer of the solvent.

When the drain function is switched On, the pilot valves and pump inlet and discharge ball valves are disabled. The pneumatically operated drain valve opens and the solvent drains into a collection container outside the cabinets. Once draining is completed, the operator can close the drain valve and resume normal operation of the pumps.

During normal operation of one of the pumps, the 24 V DC 4-20 ma pressure transmitter displays pressure in the line from the pump to the process. The pressure range is 1 to 150 psi. The pressure reading is displayed on a local LCD display and is available for remote indication and for HMI or SCADA systems.

Partnering With Modutek

Modutek can help customers that have complex or wide-ranging chemical delivery system requirements. The company offers standard solutions from its complete chemical delivery system equipment line or it can design and manufacture custom solutions to meet the needs of specific applications. All of Modutek’s chemical delivery system equipment is engineered and manufactured in-house at the company’s San Jose facility. As a result, the company can rely on in-house expertise to build and service the required equipment.

Modutek’s chemical handling systems are built using the latest technology and the highest quality materials to achieve un-paralleled output quality at reduced overall cost. When chemical handling/delivery systems are precisely designed to match application requirements, waste is reduced, and the use of water and chemicals are minimized. There are fewer operator errors, and systems become safer and more productive. Choosing Modutek as a supplier can help improve production facility performance and increase profitability.