Solutions for fabric softener production
Plant concept
Example: System control - Illustration of process step "surfactant dilution"
1. Features:
- Process control via PLC
- Central operation and monitoring of the process using control panel on the unit; user prompts and input using touch display
- Recipe management and creation using laboratory PC or plant PC
- Visualization of processes using logically connected graphic displays with overlaid operating messages, measured values and graphs
2. Equipment:
- Selection of tank design and sizes according to logistic data
- Tank accessories take into account the requirements for operation and system monitoring
- The right pump is selected and designed for each component to be metered
- Separate flow recording with continually measuring, highly precise flowmeters for each conveyor line
- Blending using dynamic and static mixers and, if necessary, mixing loops
- Sampling connections for quality monitoring
- Plate heat exchanger for temperature control
- Steam sterilization possible, creating the basic prerequisites in the closed system to render use of preservatives unnecessary
- Can be split on request for a master batch application/post finishing process
LEWA supplies the entire system from a single source:
Design, engineering, construction and delivery of the system, scope of service on request, complete with:
- Tank farm / storage containers
- Material transport from storage to the plant
- Temperature control
- Metering of individual components
- Mixing of components
- Cooling / total thermotechnical concept, if required
- Cleaning concept (CIP/SIP)
- Instrumentation
- Control system / automation
- Or any of these functional groups individually
- Selection of equipment in regards to material, dimensions, and quality to achieve an optimum cost/benefit ratio
- Consideration of specific on-site features in regard to layout planning, material flow, accessibility
- Consistent implementation of environmental protection requirements using the principles of "reduce, reuse, recycle" for both materials and energy
- Continuously operating system with the basic intention of introducing only the smallest possible quantities into the production process, avoiding losses when changing recipes or keeping them as low as possible
- Reduction of flushing agent quantities during the cleaning processes
- Recycling of product volume not conforming to specifications in the recycling process
- System operation only requires instruction on the operating system and main components of the system
The most important variables influencing pricing are:
- Degree of automation
- Scope and number of functional groups
- Scope of individual additional requirements
- Number of components and recipes
Background for fabric softener production
Process description
During the production of fabric softener, the concentrate, warm water, and thickener are blended in the first dynamic mixer. After the addition of cold water, the product passes through a static mixer and then through a heat exchanger for cooling. Then the "finishing components" are metered according to the recipe and the entire mixture is passed through another mixer.
Any product produced during start up and cleaning or when changing to another recipe and that cannot be used is discharged via a 3-way valve into a rework tank and added back into the process immediately or later, via a separate pump. Typical production units have production capacities starting at 5 tons/hr.
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