Automated scraper strainers paired with macerators eliminate high volumes of large, suspended solids from slurries for “set it and forget it” approach.
In the power industry, industrial strainers are utilized to separate unwanted suspended solids from liquids and slurries from boiler water slag or for filtering Bunker C fuel supplied to burners for power generation. However, conventional strainer methods can prove to be unreliable and lead to extensive maintenance, particularly in cases where the debris or solids are of substantial size and there is a significant amount of suspended solids present.
The combination of a macerator and automated scraper strainer can effectively remove tough debris and particles while handling high solids loading without clogging.
Overcoming traditional limitations, this technology eliminates the need for time-consuming and messy cleaning processes associated with conventional duplex basket strainers. This solution has been successfully applied in various industries including wastewater treatment, power generation, food processing, and chemical manufacturing.
“The combination of established complimentary technologies – a macerator and an automated scraper strainer – can essentially ‘knock out’ even the toughest problems related to large solids and high solids loading in an automated way,” says Robert Presser, Vice President of Acme Engineering Prod., Inc., a North American manufacturer of industrial self-cleaning strainers. The company is an ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturer of environmental controls and systems with integrated mechanical, electrical, and electronic capabilities.
In this configuration, a macerator would be installed upstream to reduce large solids down to a manageable size. The capabilities of the automated strainer are crucial to the process as well.
“Although the macerator cuts up the biggest solids, the strainer must still be able to separate both relatively large pieces and tiny particles while handling high solids loading without becoming obstructed,” explains Presser.
In the case of Acme, the OEM’s automated scraper strainer is designed to continually remove both very large and very small suspended solids from liquids and slurries. Cleaning is accomplished by a spring-loaded blade and brush system, managed by a fully automatic control system.
According to Presser, Acme has already worked with power plant operators and managers to implement a wide range of specialized straining systems for difficult applications with exceptionally large solids or very high solids loading.
One example is boiler water slag. Over time, boilers accumulate ash that forms slag deposits, which act as insulation on the boiler tubes. Consequently, more fuel is needed to achieve the desired temperature and output compared to a clean boiler. By removing slag deposits, boiler efficiency can be improved by 1 to 4 percent, leading to reduced emissions from power plants due to decreased fuel consumption.
For one power plant, Acme Engineering addressed the slag issue by employing large cylinders and gate valves to strain out slag from a waste slurry produced during boiler washouts. The size of the cylinders used exceeded typical dimensions, with the largest cylinder measuring six feet tall and 18 inches wide.
In another application, the OEM employed a strainer, cylinder, and gate valve configuration to eliminate solid impurities and debris from Bunker C fuel oil. Bunker C, a low-cost residual byproduct derived from the crude oil refinement process, is a viscous substance with a high asphalt content that includes concentrated trace minerals. In this scenario, Bunker C fuel was supplied to burners for power generation, necessitating the removal of any large clumps or oversized particles that could potentially obstruct the nozzles. Failure to do so could result in decreased production and unscheduled downtime for maintenance or repairs.
The power generation industry depends on the filtration of liquids or slurries to meet quality and regulatory standards. When the removal of large solids or managing excessive solids loading exceeds the feasibility of manual basket strainer cleaning, integrating a combination of highly effective technologies may be the best decision.
For more info, visit Acme Engineering Prod. Inc. at acmeprod.com; or phone Robert Presser, Vice President at: 518-236-5659.