Conax glands maintain a leak free environment in new pilot plant.
One of the UK plants of a major multi-national pharmaceutical manufacturer commenced the construction of a pilot plant following a long term laboratory research project.
The pilot plant consisted of several vessels fabricated in Hastelloy C22 into which it was necessary to introduce an analytical probe also in Hastelloy C22. A further consideration was that the probe could be easily removed when necessary. The process operating conditions were -1 to +20 barg and -80 to +260°C and the process media was of a highly corrosive nature.
This dictated that a method of securing the analytical probe in a non-permanent fashion would require a method that was both highly credible and would meet all Health and Safety considerations.
Since Thermal Detection were now in their 10th year as the
A Conax sealing gland accepting a single analytical probe of 1” diameter, with the body machined from Hastelloy C22 hex bar stock was welded by coded welders to a 1½” ANSI 150 RF flange also in Hastelloy C22. The sealing gland utilised soft sealant technology in the form of Teflon®.
On applying torque to the cap nut, a follower is driven in a longitudinal direction, compacting the Teflon against the gland seat. The Teflon® temporarily deforms around the probe providing a credible seal against process leakage. On releasing the cap nut the Teflon® sealant returns to its original shape allowing removal of the analytical probe.
This arrangement was used on 4 vessels with great success and a recent additional sealing gland and flange has now been added.
