Chemical Engineering July 2022 - 41

for the task at hand. In terms of specific
performance characteristics, it
has a nominal retention rating of 1.5
µm, making it suitable for filtration of
highly deformable particles. The tests
showed that the use of 108 ft² of this
depth-filter sheet could effectively filter
about 6,614 lb of the initial product
with approximately 154 lb of cake
and less than 2% of residual water.
Such an excellent level of performance
was a result of the specific
composition of the BECO KD
7 depth filter sheets. This product
range is made of pure natural materials
and cationic charge carriers. It
combines finely fibrillated cellulose fibers
from deciduous and coniferous
trees with precisely dosed quantities
of high-quality diatomaceous earth.
A key property of the cellulose fibers
is the water absorption capability. In
addition, the ideal pore structure of
the depth filter sheet allows a reliable
retention of gel particles. This
enables the BECO KD 7 depth filter
sheet to provide the optimal ratio of
performance and throughput.
The depth-filter sheets need to be
inserted in a reliable filtration system.
After assessing available options, the
company selected the BECO Compact
Plate A600 system (Figure 2).
This multi-sheet filter system comes
with either an electrically or pneumatically
operated hydraulic system.
Quality was an important consideration
for the silicone company.
The company wanted a reliable filter
system that would not cause any unnecessary
downtime. This requirement
was met through the use of a
solid chassis design, with robust filter
frames, that ensure that the hydraulic
pressure is effectively directed onto
the depth-filter sheets. The components
of the system are designed to
withstand maximum operating temperatures
of 249.8°F (121°C), ensuring
reliable performance even during
extended periods and at high temperatures.
The silicone manufacturer
also needed a solution that was flexible
enough to fit within the restricted
space parameters of its production
line. The BECO Compact Plate A600
filtration system met this requirement
too, offering a highly flexible filter area
from 7.10 to 745.94 ft², which allows
for customizable solutions for individual
applications.
Ease-of-maintenance was also
placed high on the specification
list. An automatic
re-tightening function monitors
the actual tightening
pressure during operation,
because once the depth
filter sheets become wet,
their thickness deviates,
so the system needs to repress
to ensure leak-tight
performance. The BECO
Compact Plate A600 filtration
system can detect
changes immediately and
automatically adjusts the
hydraulic pressure if it falls below a
threshold value. Meanwhile, ease of
handling and excellent cleanability is
achieved thanks to ergonomic design
and the use of smooth surfaces.
At the same time, a wide range of accessories,
such as fittings and riser
pipes, meant the system was ready
for quick and secure connection.
Enhancing production efficiency
From the outset, the silicone manufacturer
wanted to implement a filtration
operation that could remove
solids, traces of water residues and
gel particles in a single-stage process.
This has been successfully
achieved with the combination of
the BECO KD 7 depth filter sheets
and the BECO Compact Plate A600
multi-sheet filter system. Now, solids,
water residues and gel particles
can be reliably removed in a much
shorter space of time than was
previously achievable with the twostage
process.
According to Fabrice Doignie,
regional sales manager - EMEA
within the fine chemical and pharmaceutical
sales unit of Eaton's Filtration
Division, the project represented
a hugely successful collaboration
between the technical teams at
Eaton and the silicone manufacturer,
delivering an excellent result. " It was
all about meeting the customer's exacting
requirements, " Doignie says.
" The laboratory screening tests
showed that the BECO KD 7 depth
filter sheets offered just the right level
of filtration, meaning that effective
removal of water residues and solids
could be achieved at specific volume
and flowrates. Meanwhile, the flexibility
of the BECO Compact Plate
system meant that we could adapt
the size of the frames to meet the
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING WWW.CHEMENGONLINE.COM
JULY 2022
Eaton
FIGURE 2. The BECO Compact Plate A600 premium multi-sheet
filtration system enables silicone manufacturers to increase
their product quality and reduce downtimes
specified dimensions of the production
line. In both cases, the depth of
Eaton's product range and the skills
of our people meant that we were
able to meet the customer's requirements.
The project was a true testament
to the power of partnership. "
Since the installation, Eaton and
the silicone manufacturer have
forged a successful business relationship,
with the company now
using other filtration products from
Eaton within its production facilities.
These include Becopad depthfilter
sheets, Becodisc stacked-disc
cartridges, and Becodisc activated
carbon stacked-disc cartridges. " In
each case, we have worked with
the customer's development team
to provide a solution, " Doignie adds.
" Ultimately, Eaton has become more
than just an equipment supplier. We
are now viewed as a manufacturing
partner that provides valuable input
into production processes, using our
engineering knowhow to suggest
technology solutions that deliver true
added value. "
Looking to the future, Eaton believes
that the specific properties of
the BECO KD 7 depth filter sheet
mean it is sure to find further application
in the silicone manufacturing
industry.
" It is a truly unique
product solution, " Doignie confirms.
" The ability to remove water quickly
and reliably from another liquid is a
highly desirable characteristic. That
means we are confident of applying
this technology in other production
facilities and other market segments
across Europe and further afield. " ■
Edited by Gerald Ondrey
References
1 IUPAC, " Compendium of Chemical Terminology, " 2nd
ed. (the " Gold Book " ), 1997. Online corrected version:
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.S05664
41
https://www.doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.S05664 http://WWW.CHEMENGONLINE.COM
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