Chemical Applications

Degassing

Similar to distillation, degassing is a separation process that relies on the differences in the physical properties of substances in a mixture, in this case, the solubility of a gas in a liquid with variations in temperature and pressure. The most common degassing occurs with the removal of Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide, and Nitrogen from water by reducing the pressure within a degasser tower as water is run through it. This is commonly seen in the cooling systems for power plants, chemical and pharmaceutical plants, and semiconductors. Degassing eliminates the formation of bubbles that cause interference with heat transfer and can cause adverse reactions such as corrosion.

Distillation

Distillation is the thermal process of separating different solvents varying in temperature, pressure, and composition from a liquid mixture by selective boiling and condensation in order to increase the condensation of those selected components. In order to separate the solvents from each other, vapor has to be removed from a boiling liquid mixture and recondensed after evaporation. Vacuum pumps are ideal for the removal of non-condensable water and light solvents by providing pressure variation to allow for further separation.

Evaporation

In the pharmaceutical industry, the evaporation process is essential in eliminating excess moisture in order to make products easier to handle, preserve long-term activity, and improve the stability of enzymes. MD-Kinney's SDV systems have been used within many film evaporation applications in the production of high-performance medical grade silicones such as those used in implants, tubing for catheters, drug delivery, and skincare cosmetics such as moisturizers, anti-aging creams, sun care, and anti-wrinkle formulas. 

Pneumatic Conveying 

The use of positive displacement blowers in pneumatic conveying provides efficient transfer of dry bulk material from point to point at varying pressures and vacuum levels. Pneumatic conveying is achieved by creating a pressure differential along a pipeline and using the air that moves toward the area of lower pressure to move the dry bulk material. This process can be accomplished with a vacuum inducer or by injecting compressed air into one end of the pipeline. Unlike other air moving technologies, MD-Kinney's rotary positive displacement design provides constant flow regardless of pressure. Our positive displacement blowers have been successful in pneumatic conveying applications in a variety of industries for over 60 years.

Gas Filling

The use of bottled cylinders containing compressed gas is present in several industrial sectors including medical and healthcare, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and science and research. Many of these cylinders, particularly the highly purified gases, require a pre-evacuation stage to ensure removal of residual gases and possible contaminants before being refilled. In standard uses, gas cylinders are not completely emptied in order to avoid drawing in contaminants such as air or water vapor that could cause additional impurities or lead to issues such as corrosion or creating explosive mixtures. Vacuum pumps are commonly found in gas refilling stations to accomplish this pre-evacuation stage.

Solvent Recovery

Vacuum systems are used to pump solvent vapors in many pharmaceutical applications wherever excess solvents must be removed such as in processes involving drying, distilling, synthesis of compounds, purification, and cleaning. Many organic solvents need to be recovered due to their toxicity, flammability, or environmental impact, and dry vacuum pumping systems are the ideal solution due to having no internal sealing liquid that could contaminate the process. Solvent vapors are passed through the dry vacuum system and condensed at the exhaust that provides a closed-loop for containing and recovery.

Vapor Recovery

Vapor recovery units are often incorporated into pipeline systems in order to remove harmful contaminants from crude oil products, improving purity levels and preventing the release of toxic pollutants into the environment. Local environmental protection authorities have established guidelines for the process and storage of gas and chemical products, placing a heightened response on industries to create sustainable ways to lessen vapor pressure in tanks and prevent emission release. A blower is often used in vapor recovery to boost pressure in a pipeline and push the gas into another process where it can be reused, or sent to a natural gas compressor.