Challenge
Expand a polyester plant within 10 months without a halt to production or compromising product quality.
SOLUTION
Individually configured CNH-B Series chemical pumps manufactured at short notice.
RESULTS
Chemical pumps delivered within six months. Production capacity expanded as required. Flawless functionality of the new pumps without downtime and low energy consumption.
A polyester plant in China doubled its production capacity in 2010 to 1.2 million metric tons per year. That's impressive. But even more impressive is that the increase in production was achieved with no interruption to the plant's production. The plant initially used pumps from Allweiler since 2002. In 2006, the plant expansion added pumps Allweiler, including:
The CNH-B chemical pumps primarily move high-value thermal oil (Therminol 66) at up to 330 °C and ethylene glycol up to 280 °C. Maximum capacities and delivery heads are 580 m³/h at 54 m and 400 m³/h at 86 m. All pumps have operated without interruption since installation. Running at high temperatures and high discharge pressures, they have exceeded the plant operator's expectations. Outstanding on-site technical support provided by Colfax Fluid Handling has also been valued by the plant operator.
As a result, the plant's Germany-based builder selected Allweiler to provide the pumps needed for the most recent expansion. The good price/performance ratio offered also played an important role. According to Water Shui, Senior Marketing Officer, Asia, at Allweiler: "We had to find a solution that could reliably and safely move a demanding liquid, yet also meet market expectations for investment costs and total operating costs. Allweiler brand pumps met these requirements and have a high Total Savings of Ownership for the operator.”
We had to find a solution that could reliably and safely move a demanding liquid, yet also meet market expectations for investment costs and total operating costs. Allweiler brand pumps met these requirements and have a high Total Savings of Ownership for the operator.
Senior Marketing Officer, Asia, Allweiler
The operator wished to complete expansion of the polyester plant within 10 months, requiring rapid pump delivery. Additionally, plant expansion had to occur during ongoing production. Previously installed pumps had to remain in operation while running without changes at high capacity. For this to occur, reliable, safe products with long life cycles, low downtime, and low energy consumption were essential.
Colfax Fluid Handling worked closely with the plant builder to develop the ideal solution. Chemical pumps of the CNH-B product series (among the largest Allweiler brand standard chemical pumps) were chosen for their extraordinary safety and high quality standards. These pumps are used in many areas of the plant. For example, eight pumps are installed in the PET production area. One-hundred forty glycol pumps and 20 thermal oil pumps are used in the primary and secondary loops of the polyester plant.
During production of synthetic fibers, ethylene glycol reaches temperatures of up to 280 °C, requiring the pumps to be manufactured from 1.4581 stainless steel (a highgrade, heat-resistant material). Special metal bellows-type seals were also designed to work with these high temperatures. Supplemental heating of the CNH-B pumps prevents liquid polyester from solidifying at temperatures below 250 °C. Capacity is 400 m³ per hour at a pressure of approximately 9 bar, with drive power of 180 kW.
Allweiler guarantees rapid and competent onsite service, and this factored heavily in the success of this application. In order to complete the expansion quickly, additional Allweiler personnel were deployed to ensure success. All of the pumps were configured individually at the Allweiler facilities in Germany. Production was complete within six months and the pumps were delivered by air freight. Technicians from Allweiler were on-site during commissioning to ensure that all pumps were operating properly.
The flawless expansion of the polyester plant reflects Allweiler's priorities:
said Manfred Schulz, Director of Distribution Sales EMEA at Allweiler GmbH.
Used in a wide variety of processes in the chemical and process industries. They are also indispensable in other industries when it comes to safely and efficiently pumping aggressive or corrosive, hot or cold, clean or solids-laden media.
1.200
Max. Delivery Head [m] :147
Max. Outlet Pressure [bar] :25
Max. Fluid Temperature [°C] :350
Used in heat transfer systems to circulate organic heat transfer oils (also called thermal oil) up to 350 °C. They offer an optimal combination of safety, efficiency and durable design to meet the requirements of demanding industrial processes.
2.300
Max. Delivery Head [m] :145
Max. Outlet Pressure [bar] :16
Max. Fluid Temperature [°C] :350
Decades of optimized reliability, efficiency and adaptability. The self-priming pump features hardened and polished spindles which are running in a replaceable liner.
5.300
Max. Outlet Pressure [bar] :120
Max. Fluid Temperature [°C] :250
Viscosity Range [mm²/s] :3-5.000
For dosing and handling high-viscosity, solids-laden fluids. We have combined proven and durable features from our proven industrial pump range with optimized rotor and stator geometries to ensure the highest dosing accuracy.
33
Max. Differential Pressure [bar] :24
Max. Fluid Temperature [°C] :100
Max. Viscosity [mPas] :28.000
