During the school holidays last year, I spent time working at my family's manufacturing plant. They have a lot of industrial equipment, and I spent most of my time shadowing the maintenance manager. It was fascinating to see the amount of care and cleaning which goes into making sure all the machines run smoothly. I began this blog as a way to document the different types of maintenance I learned for two reasons. Firstly, because I aim to take over the family business one day, and also to share my knowledge with others who are interested in running their own manufacturing plant.
Chemicals made from naturally occurring compounds have contributed immensely to the prosperity of different industries. However, it is critical to note that these chemicals can be harmful to people and the environment if not delivered in the right doses during the manufacturing process. Notably, metering pumps are essential in the accurate dosing of highly concentrated chemicals. This article highlights ways in which metering pumps enhance the safety and efficiency of industrial processes.
Prevents Off-Gassing
Bacteria has a way of compromising the efficiency of piping systems in an industrial facility. Therefore, it is critical to eradicate potential bacteria infestation in piping systems, and this can effectively be accomplished with bleach. Bleach kills bacteria by oxidizing germ cells, but this reaction leads to off-gassing. The bad news is that off-gassing causes many challenges in industrial pumps, the most notable being the loss of priming. The best way to avoid off-gassing and eventual loss of prime is to install a metering pump. By dispersing bleach in specified doses, you kill bacteria in industrial pipes while preventing the buildup of gas bubbles. The strategy achieves clean pipes and a properly functioning metering pump.
pH Adjustment
Most, if not all, manufacturing processes need water as a substrate. While some chemical processes need water at its neutral pH, others require water with a high or low pH. The only way to adjust the required pH is to add specific volumes of acid to water. While you can add a certain amount of acid to achieve a particular pH, some applications require varying pH levels. Manual addition of acids to adjust pH does not work well where varied pH levels are needed. For instance, the water used in cooling towers is prone to different bacteria, and some might be resistant to certain disinfectants and pH levels. In such applications, the best approach is to install a metering pump, which varies the pH level of water until the most effective disinfection level is achieved.
Precise Coagulation
All industrial facilities produce wastewater that cannot be released to the environment until it is deemed safe. Filtering out dangerous particles is an integral part of making wastewater safe. Notably, filtering heavy particles that settle readily is straightforward; however, it is difficult to screen small particles that tend to float or sink slowly. While coagulation brings non-settling particles together for better filtration, a metering pump makes the process more accurate. The reason is that metering pumps can inject the right amount of coagulant, which ensures that small particles band together to form large particles. Consequently, it prevents wastage and the formation of overly large particles.
For more information, contact a chemical metering pump supplier.