Packaged system gives tighter control of temperature for Thor
15 Jan 2000
At its Manchester factory, Thor Chemicals produces corrosion inhibitor chemicals in a batch process that depends on accurate temperature control for its success.
The basic reactor has to be maintained at 230 degrees C for four hours by a gas-fired oil-heating system. When the reaction is complete, the hot oil supply is replaced by a separate cold oil system that cools the reactor overnight to 50 degrees C, ready for product removal.
Control of the temperature system is in the hands of a Spirax Sarco packaged control system, complete with valves. During the heating phase, a two-port modulating valve with temperature controller regulates the flow of the 280 degrees C oil to the reactor to maintain the reaction temperature to within +/-5degC.
Once heated, however, the product can start foaming. In this event, the system is switched to manual control. When the heating phase is completed, the operator sets the system to cooling mode by activating three-port valves on the reactor's inlet and outlet to switch from the hot oil supply to a cold oil loop.
Hot oil pressure is governed by a separate surplussing valve linked to a pressure controller to maintain a safe level of 2barg.
The valves used in the control package are bellows-sealed to ensure leakage-free operation.
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