Flow measurement of Corrosive liquid with sticky solids
Flow measurement of Corrosive liquid with sticky solids
(OP)
Hi.
We have been struggled with a hard application in flow measurement:
S2Cl2/Hexane = very corrosive, its flammable, Solvent, and has little solids that sticks ( Lets say 1 Kg per TON)
We need to dose from Tank to Reactor
Tank = Glass lined 1,000 Gal with agitation
Reactor = Glass lined 2,000 Gal with agitation.
Transfer line is Teflon lined. Dose = 11 kg/min. +/- 1 kg/min
We prepare a mixture of 25% S2Cl2 / 75% Hexane in the tank; the materials are charged trough coriolis transmitters, no problem.
Because our Hexane has traces of humidity, some S2Cl2 reacts forming Sulfur that sticks in Tank walls from bottom to top, Teflon pipes, sightlass, etc. Transfer pipe does not get plugged because it’s a 2” pipe, but needs to be cleaned from time to time.
So, how can one measure flow of a corrosive liquid with sticky solids? Or the level of the tank to measure level change.
So far:
We are working with a ¾ Teflon capilary level gauge but the risk it’s very high and needs to be cleaned frequently.
We had had lots of problems with weighing cells in the past in our site, so it’s no option. Anything else can be put in the negotiating table.
Can coriollis work if solids get stick in tubes?
Radar level could work, but the antenna will get dirty of a layer for shure.
Differential Pressure transmitter: will get dirty with layer.
We tried a diaphragm pump, but leaked trough it because of the solids. Maybe a peristaltic pump?
Any suggestions?
Hope some body can help. Thank you.
PS. Sorry for bad english.
We have been struggled with a hard application in flow measurement:
S2Cl2/Hexane = very corrosive, its flammable, Solvent, and has little solids that sticks ( Lets say 1 Kg per TON)
We need to dose from Tank to Reactor
Tank = Glass lined 1,000 Gal with agitation
Reactor = Glass lined 2,000 Gal with agitation.
Transfer line is Teflon lined. Dose = 11 kg/min. +/- 1 kg/min
We prepare a mixture of 25% S2Cl2 / 75% Hexane in the tank; the materials are charged trough coriolis transmitters, no problem.
Because our Hexane has traces of humidity, some S2Cl2 reacts forming Sulfur that sticks in Tank walls from bottom to top, Teflon pipes, sightlass, etc. Transfer pipe does not get plugged because it’s a 2” pipe, but needs to be cleaned from time to time.
So, how can one measure flow of a corrosive liquid with sticky solids? Or the level of the tank to measure level change.
So far:
We are working with a ¾ Teflon capilary level gauge but the risk it’s very high and needs to be cleaned frequently.
We had had lots of problems with weighing cells in the past in our site, so it’s no option. Anything else can be put in the negotiating table.
Can coriollis work if solids get stick in tubes?
Radar level could work, but the antenna will get dirty of a layer for shure.
Differential Pressure transmitter: will get dirty with layer.
We tried a diaphragm pump, but leaked trough it because of the solids. Maybe a peristaltic pump?
Any suggestions?
Hope some body can help. Thank you.
PS. Sorry for bad english.





RE: Flow measurement of Corrosive liquid with sticky solids
David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
In questions of science, the authority of a thousand is not worth the humble reasoning of a single individual. Galileo Galilei, Italian Physicist
RE: Flow measurement of Corrosive liquid with sticky solids
Peristaltic pump generally does a good job with dirty fluids. We have used it in the spent caustic service, and for pumping sour water condensate from the TEG off-gas separator. No issues that I can remember.
Dejan IVANOVIC
Process Engineer, MSChE
RE: Flow measurement of Corrosive liquid with sticky solids
A non intrusive flow sensor is what you need here, I think - try these folks
http://www.flexim.com/en
RE: Flow measurement of Corrosive liquid with sticky solids
EmmanuelTop:
Our hexane has up to 0.01% of Water, do u think an adsorvent can dry it lower? any water in remaining in hexane will react. Do you know anny supplier or literature that I can Check?
georgeverghese:
I have contacted the supplier, I let you know what they think.
And I found a E+H teflon lined Radar level transmitter in our warehouse, if supplier think can work, I will do a change request to try this option.
Thank you guys.
PD. Also peristatic pump was tried 10 years ago, and got plugged frecuently.