Closed solid and liquid discharge with inertisation and vacuum conveying

Closed Solid and Liquid Discharge with Inerting and Vacuum Conveying

An industrial customer in chemical production processes various raw materials in small and medium-sized batches. Sensitive and partially reactive media place high demands on safety, containment, and flexibility. Powders pose explosion and health risks, liquids can release aggressive vapors and attack metallic components. At the same time, frequent product changes are required.

HECHT implemented an integrated plant solution for a fully closed and inerted material flow from the container to the reactor. The goal is maximum protection for operators, product, and plant environment while ensuring high process safety.

Solids are discharged via drum and bag emptying stations under closed conditions. Drums are mechanically handled, tilted, and safely emptied via the CFE K discharge station. The drum liner is ergonomically connected to the EC Port, and the entire transfer remains closed. Even critical substances up to OEB 5 are processed with low contamination. Bagged materials are fed into an inerted glovebox through an airlock and opened there under glove manipulation. Fine particles are fully shielded from the working area.

For reactive liquids, a metal-free glovebox made of glass and plastic is used. Containers are introduced via an endless film port, emptied emission-free into a glass cylinder, and conveyed to the target container under nitrogen overpressure. Operators are protected from vapors and splashes.

Solids are transported via a closed vacuum conveyor PCC200. A large filter area, automatic nitrogen cleaning, and WIP function ensure consistent conveying performance, easy cleaning, and safe product changes—even with moist or sticky media. A condensate trap between the conveyor and reactor prevents vapor rise and supports explosion protection.

The entire process is operated under a nitrogen atmosphere and classified according to a defined ATEX concept. Exhaust air is passed through a water scrubber. The solution provides a fully closed process, high operator protection, reproducible product quality, and a modular, future-proof plant structure.

Read the full case study here:
Closed Solid and Liquid Discharge in the Chemical Industry