Removing Suspended Solids in Asphalt Transloading

In the asphalt industry, industrial strainers are used to separate unwanted suspended solids from liquids and slurries for efficient transloading, in which asphalt is heated to a liquid form and transferred from tank cars to trucks or from trucks to tank cars at rail facilities. However, conventional strainer methods can prove to be unreliable and lead to extensive maintenance, particularly in cases where the debris or solids are of substantial size and there is a significant amount of suspended solids present.

Fortunately, the utilization of a novel blend of industrial wastewater technologies now allows for the efficient removal of solids without the need for extensive manual labor, worker exposure to messy or potentially hazardous substances, or constant maintenance. Specifically, the design involves a one-two punch combination of a macerator, which breaks down large solids into smaller fragments, and an automated scraper strainer flexible enough to efficiently filter out larger debris along with tiny particles. This innovative solution can even accommodate high solids loading without clogging.

The combination of these two established technologies is already being applied to some of the toughest, dirtiest straining applications including asphalt transloading, wastewater debris, power plant boiler water slag, and meat processing waste streams.

OVERCOMING TRADITIONAL LIMITATIONS

Duplex strainers are often used in continuous flow processes that cannot be shut down for cleaning purposes. Duplex basket strainers employ two distinct chambers that function independently. When one chamber needs cleaning, the flow is seamlessly diverted to the alternate chamber, enabling the removal and cleaning of the first basket.

Cleaning is a messy, laborious process that involves equalizing pressure between the baskets, diverting flow to the off-line chamber, opening rhc cover, manually removing the clogged basket, and cleaning it before refitting the basket, ensuring the seal, and tightening the fasteners.

If an operator fails to adequately clean the basket strainers for any reason, both strainers can become clogged at the same time. This compromises the filtration process, resulting in quality issues or unexpected downtime until the problem is resolved. For many processors, this can occur simply due to having insufficient personnel to keep basket strainers clean along with their other duties.

"As an alternative, a combination of established complimentary technologies such as a macerator and an automated scraper strainer can essentially `knock out1 even the toughest problems related to large solids and high solids loading in an automated way," said Robert Presser, vice president of Acme Engineering Prod., Inc., a North American manufacturer of industrial self-cleaning strainers. The company is an ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturer of environmental controls and systems with integrated mechanical, electrical, and electronic capabilities.