Damage to a Mixed Bed Polisher

[solan]

We recently damaged our strong acid cation collection grid in one of our mixed bed polishers. We are unsure what caused the event, but it bent a 4" sch. 40 SS header and several lateral collectors. The forces were such that the collectors were "wrapped" around the steel support bars that they rested on creating an "S" shape.

I should say that there are severe hydro-dynamic issues with this system. If certain polishers are placed in operation together, the flow rate through each bed tends to oscillate wildly for no apparent reason. These oscillations are minimized by placing one of the beds in manual operation.

Does anyone have any experience as to what could produce that much force? My first inclination is some sort of water hammer, but I am not convinced.

Any experience with collection grid damage would be a great help.

Thanks