Concept engineering for the modification of the sludge treatment system and the ventilation system a plating plant for aerospace parts (LA16)

ISSUE

The domestic waste incineration plant in a Quebec City has tested a new filter bag model made of fibreglass with ePTFE (expanded PTFE) membrane in the dust collector of its dry scrubber. Based on this test, the factory aimed to determine the best choice among both filter bags to put in place in the next bag change. A comparison will be made between the current fibreglass bag used at the incineration and the recently tested glass bag with the ePTFE membrane. Therefore, the factory mandated STS Canada to perform the necessary analyses to evaluate and compare the two bags and provide the final decision on the type of filter bag that should be installed.

TECHNOLOGICAL CHALLENGE

Determine the capacity of the sludge treatment system (mixer, decanter and filter) for the treatment of metals from the new plating line.

Evaluate the modifications required to automate the sludge treatment system of the existing plant.

The space availability for a new installation in the building at the location of water treatment and ventilation systems is limited. Installing new equipment and modifying ventilation ducts while minimizing the impact on plant operations presents a significant challenge.

RECOMMENDED SOLUTION

Adding instrumentation to automate the operation of the existing sludge treatment system involves a replacement of the current plate filter with an automated filter press. An evaluation of the modifications to the ventilation and piping system to connect the new plating basins to the acid and alkaline gas treatment system was carried out. Also, STS recommended to carry out a measurement campaign on the systems to validate the capacity of the fans, install swinging flaps and do a full swinging of the basin ventilation system.

RESULTS

This study assessed the current capacity and determined the modifications necessary to the sludge treatment system and the plating tank ventilation system to achieve the customer's production objectives. A cost estimate of ± 50% for the automation of the sludge treatment system and the modification of the plating basin ventilation system were provided to the customer.