For this project, Rheo designed and built a hard-wall containment isolator for use during a vessel charging process. The client required the ability to transfer OEB4 powders out of drums into vessel via a vacuum conveyance process.
Rheo provided a Material Transfer Station [MTS] with rigid isolator and integrated vacuum hopper for the Vacuum Conveyance System. The MTS’s integrated Drum Tipper with drum sleeve canister allowed for a contained drum change-out process. The MTS allows operators to ergonomically unload and process drums into charge reactor. Additionally, the MTS was equipped with a top-mounted canister for contained loading of FIBCs. Equipment was cleaned via clean-in-place retractable spray device located in the vacuum hopper and rotating spray ball atop the isolator.
Rheo provided the controls for all the equipment, managed by the operator through a touch screen HMI. Atmosphere control (negative pressure and oxygen concentration) was managed in the isolator automatically via PID control loops. All equipment was designed for use in a Class I, Division 2 Group C&D area via a combination of intrinsically safe, purged and pressurized, and explosion proof components. Ethernet communications allows the MTS to communicate between vacuum conveyance receiver control panel and mobile vacuum pump skid. The MTS was equipped with a compressed air powered integrated venturi blower, with dual safe change HEPA filter extraction.
The Vacuum Conveyance process was fluidized with nitrogen at the MTS product inlet and for pre-filter blow-off to avoid introducing oxygen into the client’s reactor. The Vacuum Conveyance Receiver is connected to a dedicated pneumatic control panel.
