conv 10-09 MAINTENANCE LOG Helpful malntenance information and problem solving case studies from suppliers of plant equipment and services, CROSS SECTION OF STEAM EJECTOR ‘Combination head and throat ‘Steam ejectors chosen after a detailed evaluation placed ‘them ahead of mechanical and hybrid vacuum systems. In 4 set ‘actual performance and comparison tests, liquid ring pumps Suction were unable to pull the desired vacuum. Two-Stage Ejector Improves Vacuum Drying igen is ges lai staan he Raleigh, NC, plant of Aji- A 20 mm vacuum ‘mm vacuum would do the required job, s. tninoaeit he itpalcomponens | .- WOUId do thig "| bate luting pas wer: nb cfprotcin.Allthe plan's aminoacids {required job, but.the| — the pamps were wearing and eroding, ‘are pharmaceutical-grade in pure crys- Scatiaraate 2 allowing particles of erosion to sweej talline form tht are used in drugs, | “liquid ring pumps~| Sordatisai ae eee hangers tad ‘nuttoalsaple, ‘wrere Wnable tos 7 | ytiepume ras ap crane’ ‘ments. Ten individual amino acids are ., produce that :..- ‘various options fora replacement dryer produced, as well as custom-blended mixtures. ‘vacuum System. Augmentation of the existing system was ruled out, as the vacuum. ‘The amino acids are produced by fer- | «. feted existing pumps were wearing, and their ‘mentation with highly complex pro- inability to achieve desired vacuum was cxsse of separation, concentration, and a fallingilm evaporator. Vacuum for limiting overall capability. Purification. High points include cell the final drying stage was originally Three types of equipment were con- ‘Separation, resin treatment, and ula il- produced by single-stage liquid ring sidered: a two-stage steam ejector sys tration, The final processes include crys- vacuum pumps. tem, a two-stage mechanical vacuum tallization, centifugationto separate out The liquid ring pumps met their pump, and a two-stage hybrid system solids, and vacuum drying. original rating of 75 mm of vacuum. of ejector plus liquid ring pump. Eval- Since the process line went on But that was not sufficient to achieve uation factors are noted in Fig. 1 sream in the early 1980s, an ejector the quick drying cycle required to pro- including first cost, operating cost, system from Croll-ReynoldsCo,,Inc, due a quality product. Processing maintenance cost, reliability, and ‘Westield, NJ, has supplied vacuum for engineers atthe plant decided thata20 maintainability. Reprinted trom MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY/SEPTEMBER 1999