Estudo da viabilidade de aplicação do transporte pneumático para abastecimento de sulfato de sódio em indústria de fibra de vidro

Abstract

Technology advances changed the way we approach fine powder loading within the industry. Efficient and focused on problem-solving, these solutions drastically reduced losses in industry activities. The purpose of this project is to investigate new solutions for sodium sulfate loading in a fiberglass plant, assessing safety, utilities, installation, maintenance, and operational impacts. Studies regarding modern sodium sulfate loading led to two scopes, structured for further understanding. One of them is an airoperated diaphragm pump, modified for fine powder pumping, while the other is a reallocation of an inactive blow tank. Each scope was analyzed concerning safety risks, start-up costs, and monthly expenses. Costs related to the initial situation were estimated in 198,25 R$/month, while the blow tank proposition had an projected cost of 102,86 R$/month and the AODD pump, 90,16 R$/month. Safety was handled by risk based process safety guidelines, whose results for risk managing was 440 for current sodium sulfate loading, 275 for the blow tank operation, and 110 in an AODD pump activity, the only one that requires no further action to mitigate risks. In the end, the AODD pump was chosen as the most viable, mainly because of its safety benefits.