Hazardous Waste AODD Containment Failure
Industry Served: Chemical Process
Problem:
A major chemical company in Michigan uses air operated double diaphragm (AODD) pumps for unloading hazardous waste, including many different chemicals and products (e.g., acids, solvents, methyl chlorides, etc.). Each of the AODD pumps are 2 inch stainless steel; with PTFE internals, and are pumping at a flow rate of 80 to 100 gpm at 30 psi discharge pressure. The company has experienced pump diaphragm failure due to the elastomer material wearing out or damage from metal particles. When a diaphragm fails, the product goes into the air system and then out through the pump’s air exhaust. Because the product is hazardous, there is zero tolerance for spills. If a spill occurs, HAZMAT is called and the cost of cleanup can range from $20,000 to $100,000 depending on severity.
Solution:
A Blacoh SPILLSTOP (model SPS-20) was installed on the outlet of each AODD pump. Although the company does preventive maintenance every six months to avoid critical failure because a diaphragm failure can occur at any time, the SPILLSTOP units prevented spills on the three separate occasions when pump diaphragms ruptured, containing the hazardous material and automatically shutting down the system. (The SPILLSTOP can also be configured to automatically turn on a standby pump and sound an alarm.)
Result:
The company has purchased six SPILLSTOP units year-to-date and is looking at other areas in the plant where hazardous spills can be prevented.