Paint manufacturer utilizes self-cleaning filter to solve throughput problems
PORTAGE, MI, Feb. 13, 2006 -- Latex architectural paint manufacturer Flex Bon Paints used a vibrating screen for final filtering on its automatic and semiautomatic paint fill lines, prior to filling one and five gallon (4 and 19 liter) paint containers.
The flow rates on the lines ran as high as 80 gal/min (18.2 m3/h), but throughput on the vibrating screen was inadequate, RPA Process Technologies reported Feb. 8. The screen was too noisy, labor intensive and would overflow, because solids that collected on the screen had to be manually removed.
Flex Bon engineers decided to look for a quieter filtering system that could keep up with the fill lines and eliminate the overflow problems.
The in-line filter they selected seemed to fit the bill -- or so they thought. Soon after installation, they began experiencing problems, including seals that did not properly seal. Shep Beasley, director of purchasing and plant operations at Flex Bon Paints said, "We were looking for an answer. We saw an ad for Ronningen-Petter DCF filters and decided to get more information."
Solution
After consulting with RPA Process Technologies, Flex Bon installed a Ronningen-Petter Mechanically-Cleaned DCF-800 filter with an electrical timer control that purges the collected solids at timed intervals.
The DCF-800 filter has a patented cleaning disc that moves up and down the filtering screen, scraping debris from the screen and collecting it in a chamber at the bottom of the filter.
The debris is periodically purged from the collection chamber by a discharge valve in a process that takes less than 7/10 of a second -- with no interruption in production.
Results
The Ronningen-Petter Mechanically-Cleaned DCF-800 filter has no moving seals, so the sealing problems Flex Bon was experiencing with the in-line filter were eliminated.
Even better, the DCF-800 filter cleans and purges without halting production, resulting in a constant differential pressure and very high throughput levels on the paint fill line.
Beasley said, "We haven't found the upper limits of flow rates yet with the DCF. We feed our one-gallon and five-gallon lines at the same time and cannot starve them. It exceeded our expectations."
APPLICATION DATA:
Model: DCF-800
Type of liquid: Latex architectural paint
Flow rate: Up to 80 gpm
Viscosity: 1200 cps
Temperature: Ambient
Filtration Required: 150 micron (100 mesh)
Disc/Purge Control: Electrical timer control
Cleaning Disc Material: UHMWPE
Filter Location: Paint fill area for 1 and 5 gallon cans
Elastomers: Buna-N
Click on this link for a simple method to determine whether a change is worthwhile for your applications: www.rpaprocess.com/Industrial-Filters-Technical-Information.asp#Bag-Filter-Costs.
For questions about industrial filtration, please visit the Ask Filter Man forum at: www.rpaprocess.com/Ask-Filter-Man-Blog.asp.
With offices in Portage, MI, RPA Process Technologies (www.rpaprocess.com) supplies filter media and elements, industrial mixers and liquid-solid separation and filtration equipment into the industrial marketplace. As part of Dover Corp.'s fluid handling business segment, it's also known by its brand name, Ronningen-Petter.
Also see:
-- "The Hidden, Ongoing Costs of Disposable Media Filters in the Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Processing Industries" (02/04/2006)
-- "How Manufacturing Companies Can Generate Less Waste, Part 2" (02/01/2006)
-- "How Manufacturing Companies Can Generate Less Waste, Part 1" (01/25/2006)
-- "Paper Industry Pilot Coater Optimized with DCF Self-Cleaning Filtration System--A Real World Documented Case Study" (01/12/2006)
-- "Why Cleanable Media for Industrial Filter Processes is More Environmentally Friendly" (01/06/2006)
-- "51-Day Return-on-Investment for Hydroforming Plant -- A Real World Documented Case Study" (01/02/2006)
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