The complete guide to choosing the right tank washing head
What is the difference between single axis heads, twin axis heads and fixed spray heads?
The complete guide to choosing the right tank washing head
What is the difference between single axis heads, twin axis heads and fixed spray heads?
Tank washing heads are devices specially designed for washing industrial tanks. They can be classic fixed spray heads or even high-tech models such as single and twin axis heads.
How to identify the right washing head for every need?
It is very difficult to assess such value as the efficiency range with reference to a given tank washing device without taking into considerations the various parameters relating to the process conditions, such as the materials you have to remove, working temperature and pressure, the time of every washing cycle.
While choosing a tank washing head, you have to consider if:
- the wetting radius is adequate for the dimension of the tank;
- the capacity can provide the whole inner surface with a correct amount of washing solution for square measure;
- the impact force of the jet and the time required to complete a cleaning cycle are adequate for the product and/or process.
Our long experience in the field of tank cleaning suggests that the following basic concepts are given proper consideration in order to determine the correct washing cycle for each single application, and consequently the most suitable type of tank cleaning device.
1 | PROPER FILTERING FOR THE WASHING LIQUID
Small inner passages and precision machined parts are typically found in tank washing equipment.
In such cases where the washing cycle is performed by means of a recycled solution the solid particles which may be dispersed into the solution must be characterized for dimension and properties. Since suspended solid particles may affect proper operation of tank washing equipment, or require more frequent cleaning or service of the same, we suggest that a suitable line filter be considered.
2 | CORRECT CHOICE FOR WASHING CYCLE AND SOLUTION
Based on the type of product which has to be eliminated, each single process has to be examined in order to define such parameters as the appropriate washing fluid, the right temperature, jet pressure and washing time of every phase.
3 | ADEQUATE MOTIVE MECHANISM
The number of products which need to be removed from the wall of a tank is near to endless, each one showing its own different properties.
Washing cycles can range from a quick water rinse at low pressure and ambient temperature, to long lasting cycles using hot water and caustic, sometimes at high pressure. The latter situation requires both a slow motion of the fluid jets, which have to hit the tank wall without breaking into drops and loose their impact, and a properly indexed rotation so that the revolving jets do not hit the same path at each turn.
4 | CLEANING RADIUS / WETTING RADIUS
It is not possible to define the cleaning radius of any tank washing equipment without making reference to precise conditions as the product to be eliminated, the cleaning fluid, the operating pressure and temperature. Such value can only be determined by experience, for each single given process.
It is instead possible to define a wetting radius, as the radius where the equipment can wet the entire tank inner surface: in this condition it must be expected the fluid to hit the wall with a small fraction of its original impact force.
Applications of washing heads
Which industries use washing heads? For which activity?
| INDUSTRY | RESIDUES CLEANED | EQUIPMENT TYPES | PNR TANK CLEANING HEADS USED |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHEMICAL, PAINTS & COATINGS | PAINTS / PLASTICS / RESINS ADHESIVES / SEALANTS LATEX / ACRYLICS | MIXERS / BLENDERS REACTORS / PROCESS TANKS STORAGE TANKS / TOTES DRUMS | UBB / UBE / UBT UKD / UKR |
| FOOD PROCESSING | DAIRY / JUICES / SAUCES SUGARS / SOUPS FROZEN FOOD INGREDIENTS | COOKERS / FRYERS STORAGE TANKS / RAIL CARS KETTLES / MIXERS / BLENDERS SPRAY DRY TOWERS | UA3 / UA0 / UBB UBC / UBD / UBE UBF / UBT / UBX UKD / UKR |
| PHARMACEUTICAL | MEDICINES / POWDERS ACTIVE INGREDIENTS | BLENDERS / FERMENTERS TOTES / DRUMS STORAGE CONTAINERS SPRAY DRY TOWERS | UA0 / UAC / UBA UBB / UBC / UBD UBE / UBF / UBT UBX / UKD / UKR |
| PULP & PAPER | PAPER STOCK / INKS COLORS | BROKE CHESTS / STOCK CHESTS TOTES / CONTAINERS TANK TRAILERS | UBA / UBB / UBC UBE / UBT / CH |
| ETHANOL | YEAST SLURRY CORN MASH | FERMENTERS / YEAST TANKS STORAGE TANKS TANK TRAILERS | UBT |
| PERSONAL CARE | SHAMPOO / LOTION / CRÈMES OILS / COSMETICS / PERFUMES | MIXERS / BLENDERS / KETTLES DRYERS / VESSELS STORAGE TANKS | UBB / UBC / UBE UBT / UKD / UKR |
| WINERIES | WINE / SPICES / SUGARS | FERMENTERS / BARRELS KEGS / WINE STORAGE | UA3 / UBB / UBE UBF / UBT / UKD UKR |
| BREWERIES | MALT / YEAST / MASH WORT / BEER | FERMENTERS / BREW KETTLES MASH TANKS / STORAGE TANKS HOT WORT RECEIVERS | UBT / UBX / UKD UKR |
| TRANSPORTATION | ORANGE JUICE / DAIRY PRODUCTS FOOD INGREDIENTS / OIL CHEMICALS | WET/DRY BULK TRANSPORT TRAILERS RAIL CARS / TOTES / IBC’S ISO TANKS/CONTAINERS | UBT / UKD / UKR |
| SHIPYARD | ORGANIC WASTE SEAWEED | TANK PURIFICATION SANITIZATION OF TANKS | UBC |
What types of washing heads are available and why choosing them?
SINGLE AXIX HEADS
It’s a device where the moving part is rotating around the vertical axis of the feed pipe. They are more suitable to wash products with low resistance.
REACTION DRIVE
The washing action is obtained through water jets coming from a rotating head, where the head motion is obtained purely through reaction force originated by the fluid jets being ejected. The operating pressure influences the head rotation speed, which must be limited to avoid the water jets being broken into minute droplets and loosing part of their impact force.
These devices perform very satisfactorily in a great number of general applications, where the products to be washed away do not originate severe problems and with limited size tanks.
MOTOR DRIVE
A further step in performance with one axis heads performance is obtained with a design where a very simple friction motor provides for low speed rotating head.
This design offers a remarkable advantage because of the lower rotation velocity: the jets remain coherent without being broken into droplets by centrifugal force and all of their impact energy can be transferred to the tank surface.
Our technical department has recently made new improvements to the UBA washing head: the rotation made even more constant and the possibility of directing the jet in both directions (vertical up and down) guarantee a further enhanced impact force.
TWIN AXIS HEADS
The most sophisticated tank washing equipment, where high impact fluid jets slowly move with a combined rotation around one vertical and one horizontal axis.
The motive mechanism assures the jet to hit always different paths at each turn, so that each single point of the inner tank surface is surely cleaned..
TURBINE DRIVE
Sophisticated products offering modern design, excellent performance and high surface quality, mainly suitable for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry as they fully satisfy their demand for safe and reliable operation as well as perfect cleaning and sanitation.
FIXED SPRAY HEADS
The most simple tank washing devices, fixed heads or spray balls are the classic equipment used in thousands of tanks for their reliability and since easily kept in perfect hygienic conditions. Their low impact properties and high volume fluid requirement limit their use to small tank sizes and processes where easily cleaned liquids and non sticking products have to be eliminated.
Our models UA3, UAB and UAC are made out of high quality stainless steel and cover most possible applications, while we are still pleased to quote for special models designed on individual requirements.