Pfaudler has solved a major process problem for a pharma manufacturer in Ireland that had regularly to replace the pH probe in its reactor vessel.
With probes lasting only 6-9 months in this demanding application, Pfaudler worked closely with the unnamed company to find the most appropriate solution to this and other issues concerning the vessel and associated accessory equipment, which were proving expensive while creating unwanted downtime.
Pfaudler discovered that where product was being deposited on one side of the yellow glass (ion sensitive enamel) probe, a surface chemical attack had been occurring along flow patterns in vessel.
The pH probe was redesigned so that the ion-sensitive glass (more prone to corrosion when compared with the blue glass usually used by Pfaudler) was left only on one side of the probe, well away from the flow pattern and the source of damage.
Pfaudler’s redesign has extended the life of the probe to years rather than months. The company also recommended an alteration to the dip-pipe design or a change to the method of solvent addition (via a quarto-pipe), with the changes being closely monitored.
Pfaudler
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