Question

what is the SOP for continuous fluidized bed dryer? and how to do the maintenance and cleaning?

Answer 1

Solution:

Standard operating procedure (SOP) for continuous fluidized bed dryer is as follows,

1. Ensure that the fluidized bed reactor (FBD) is cleaned as per the SOP.

2. Enter the operation starting time in Equipment usage log

3. Check the dedicated FBD bag (product wise) for its cleanliness.

4. Place the FBD bag properly to the ring and tight it.

5. Check Air connection is properly working.

6. Switch on the PLC (Programmable Logic Control) and shake the FBD bag by following the PLC in manual mode operation to check the setting of the bag.

7. Check and ensure the availability of steam to the equipment.

8. Check the label of wet material and load into the bowl with a clean scoop.

9. Before placing the bowl, ensure that shaking should be in off position on PLC in manual mode, and then place the bowl.

10. Ensure proper earthing to the equipment.

11. Lock the bowl by PLC in manual mode operation.

12. Close the upper and lower seals of the FBD by operating PLC in manual mode.

13. Start the blower and open the exhaust damper by operating PLC in manual mode.

14. Start the mixing operation and open the mixing valve as per requirement for uniform drying by operating PLC in manual mode.

15. Initially air dry the material as mentioned in the Batch Production and Control Record.

16. Apply steam to FBD and then start heating by operating PLC in manual mode to get required temperature and maintain the temperature with in the range throughout drying operation.

17. Shake the FBD Bag by PLC operation in manual mode at regular intervals.

18. During the drying operation, collect the sample from sampling point and check the moisture content of the material at regular intervals.

19. When the desired moisture level is attained cutoff steam supply.

20. Run the FBD fan only, until the material is sufficiently cooled.

21. Switch off the FBD fan, release the bowl by PLC operation in manual mode and pull out the trolley.

22. Unload the material in to pre-weighed clean and dried IP containers.

23. Weigh the material and provide labels indicating product name, B. No: gross wt., tare wt., net wt., date and sign.

24. Display the status of the FBD as ready to use.

25. Enter the operation completion time in the Equipment usage log.

Maintenance and cleaning of fluidized bed reactor is,

The cleaning process starts with turning on the fluid bed. First the gas/air mixture in injected into the cleaning reactor and the special quartz sand starts to fluidize. The pilot burner is switched on and the gases are ignited at the surface. Once the fluid bed has reached its working temperature (420-450°C) the parts to be cleaned can be submerged in the cleaning tank. The parts are first placed in a special cleaning basket and this basket is lowered into the fluid bed by means of the specially designed hoisting system. After 60-90 minutes the cleaning process is completed. The basket is removed from the fluid bed and the next cleaning cycle can begin immediately. Due to the unique design of the fluid bed there is hardly any loss of temperature which means a new cleaning cycle can be started without any heat-up time between each load.

This way of cleaning offers you the following advantages,

• Fast cleaning cycle
• Environmental friendly process
• Excellent cleaning results
• Energy saving process
• No deformation or distortion of the cleaned parts
• Safe and easy to operate
• Minimal labour
• High capacity
• Low O&M costs