THALE-mail www.thaletec.

com

THALETEC
ABOUT US page 2

SOLUTION
PROCESSES WITH ELECTRO-
STATIC CHARGE IN GLASS-
LINED EQUIPMENT page 3

NEW ARB BAFFLE

BAFFLE WITH CONCAVE END
AND TEMPERATURE
MEASUREMENT page 9

THALETEC GmbH
Steinbachstraße 3 | D - 06502 Thale
Telefon: + 49(0)3947 778-0
Telefax: + 49(0)3947 778-110

74
newsletter@thaletec.com
www.thaletec.com
Hotline: + 49(0)3947 778-111

e
1 Ausgabe 60 • 2014 www.thaletec.com
 www.thaletec.com

About us
2016 Wall Calendar With effect from January 1st 2016 there has been a reor-
available ganisation of senior management within the scope of
restructuring THALETEC GmbH, world-leading manu-
facturer of glass-lined equipment and components for
the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Mr. Stefan
Neujahr Tag der Arbeit Allerheiligen Neujahr

Erntedankfest Allerseelen

Tag der
Deutschen
Einheit

Weiberfastnacht 2. Advent

Christi Himmelfahrt

2. Advent / Nikolaus Heilige Drei Könige Nikolaus Heilige Drei Könige

Lieschke and Mr. Alexander Barkow have taken over the

Rosenmontag Muttertag

Fastnacht

Aschermittwoch

Martinstag 3. Advent

Maintenance Training

3. Advent Maintenance Training Volkstrauertag

Valentinstag

operational management of the company.

Mariä
Pfingstsonntag Himmelfahrt

Pfingst-
montag Buß- und Bettag

4. Advent

Workshop EmRep

4. Advent Palmsonntag Workshop EmRep Workshop EmRep Totensonntag

Workshop EmRep

Heiligabend Gründonnerstag Heiligabend

1.
Weihnachts-
1. Weihnachtsfeiertag Karfreitag feiertag

2.
Weihnachts-
2. Weihnachtsfeiertag Karsamstag Workshop Instandhaltung Fronleichnam feiertag

Ostersonntag Workshop Instandhaltung Workshop Instandhaltung 1. Advent

Ostermontag Workshop Instandhaltung

Refor-
Silvester mationstag Silvester

Mr. Lieschke has amassed 18 years' ma- Expert knowledge and solid experience in
THALETEC GmbH Telefon: Hotline:
+ 49 (0) 3947 778-0 + 49 (0) 3947 778-111
Steinbachstraße 3 Telefax: service@thaletec.com
D - 06502 Thale + 49 (0) 3947 778-110 www.thaletec.com

nagement experience in manufacturing. the market for glass-lined process engi-

The 2016 THALETEC Wall Calendar, which Initially employed by a world-leading com- neering systems are highly valued by our
is much in demand, is now available hot off pany in the chemical industry, the 53-year- customers."
the press. Request yours today and send an old chemical engineer spent several years
e-mail with the word „calendar“ to at Kaldewei, a global market leader for Dr. Jürgen Reinemuth, the other partner
info@thaletec.com glass-lined products in the sanitary indus- of THALETEC GmbH adds: "With both new
try, with technical responsibility. appointments THALETEC is opening a
new chapter in the continuing customer-
At THALETEC Mr. Lieschke is at present oriented development of the company
Seminars and Workshops primarily in charge of the management of and providing scope for consistent growth
the company's technical operations. with focus on the core competencies of the
2016: company.
Mr. Alexander Barkow has been emplo-
The dates for the individual workshops for yed at THALETEC since 2008 in sales and Now as partners, we can concentrate on
2016 have been set. We are also offering you marketing, most recently as Head of Sales the strategic direction of the company and
a comprehensive training and development and Marketing. focus on innovations, organic growth and
programme in 2016. strategic acquisitions."
Karl-Heinz Bergmann, one of the two
THALETEC Workshop EmRep - partners of THALETEC GmbH stresses: "For You can find more information at:
Glass-lining testing and repair (German) Mr. Barkow and the company taking on www.thaletec.com
April 19th and 20th 2016 the role of director focusing on sales and
September 20th and 21st 2016 marketing is the logical next step in his
professional career.
THALETEC Compact Workshop -
Maintenance and repairing of glass-lined
equipment (German)
April 26th and 27th 2016
September 27th and 28th 2016

THALETEC Compact Workshop -

Maintenance and repairing of glass-lined
equipment (English)
April 12th and 13th 2016

Further dates will be offered if required. We

are also happy to conduct presentations on
your premises. Simply contact your local sales Mr. Barkow Mr. Lieschke
representative to make arrangements.

2 Issue 74 • 2016
 www.thaletec.com

Solutions for processes with electrostatic charge

in glass-lined equipment
Normal chemical glass-linings are electrically insulated. Should an electrical
charge occur when stirring, filling or emptying the reactor, it must be ensured
using appropriate measures that this charge does not pose a risk to the reactor
and the surrounding area.

As an example, an electrical charge in the tenths of a millimetre, which extends as far

kV range can cause notorious "electrostatic
discharge".
Figure 1:
Electrostatic discharge at the tip of an One spark pierces the entire glass-lining,
agitator creating a channel with a diameter of a few
as the steel body of the equipment.
A corrosive medium can penetrate this
channel and corrode the steel which will
ultimately lead to major damage.

Issue 74 • 2016 3
 www.thaletec.com

Damage caused by electrostatic discharge
occurs mainly in places with a high relative
speed between the medium and the glass-
lined component (e.g. at the tip of the
agitator blades or in the area around the
tank bottom and outlet nozzle) as well as
at the phase boundary between the liquid
and the gas compartment.
Therefore in processes during which poten-
tially there could be an electrostatic charge
or discharge, the following aspects should
be carefully noted:
• prevention of electrostatic charge by
adjusting the process
• glass-lining type: electrically conductive
glass lining
• materials used in the fitted components
• electrically conductive shaft-hub con-
nections
• electrically conductive flange gaskets
• electrically conductive elements in the
reactor

Adjusting the process to prevent discharge

The "best" way to prevent damage to currence of an electrostatic charge. Even if quite possibly could help to minimise the
glass-lined equipment as a consequence of this is often not completely possible, a few greatest risks.
discharge, is of course, to prevent the oc- aspects should be mentioned here which

Increasing the temperature level of the process

The electrical conductive property of the
glass-lining depends on its temperature.
If the temperature level of the process can
be increased, damage as a consequence of
electrostatic discharge becomes increasin-
gly unlikely. Just a rise in the temperature
level by a few Kelvin can reduce the risk.
The specific electrical resistance of glass-
linings generally is in the region of > 1012
Ωcm in ambient temperature. It drops in
a straight line up to 400°C to about 105
Ωcm (Source: Petzold, A., Pöschmann, H.:
Email und Emailliertechnik, Wiley-VCH; 2nd
edition, revised (1992))

Reducing turbulence and speed

The degree of turbulence in the reactor

as well as the level of the relative speeds
between the medium and the walls of the
fitted components, the agitator and the
tank determine, inter alia, the extent of the
electrostatic charge.

Accordingly, the extent of the charge can

be reduced if the turbulence and speed
can be reduced.

Even without having any great impact on

the quality of the mixing process, the re-
duction in the agitator speed, for example,
by a few revs/min can contribute to a signi-
ficant reduction in static electricity.

Also the use of agitating elements with a Figure 2:

light shearing action (e.g. axial impeller
like the THALETEC TAF-Turbine instead of a
radial action agitating element such as the
CXU or CXR-Turbine) can help to reduce
static electricity.
TAR/TAF agitating element for the low
shear mixing of non-conductive liquids.
The lower agitating element also has resi-
due blades for mixing small quantities

4 Issue 74 • 2016

Ensuring minimal conductivity of the medium
Even the smallest amounts of conducti-
ve substances which are subsequently
distilled off again or filtered out, can
Cleaning media and the cleaning process
In some cases it is not the actual process
which is critical in relation to electrostatic
charges, but just the cleaning process
following a batch or campaign.
Conductive glass-lining
The adjustment of and the amendment
to process engineering conditions is the
most effective step, even if one of the most
difficult.
www.thaletec.com
help to reduce the risk of an electrostatic
discharge and thus damage to the glass-
lining.
Here it should be checked to what extent
adding conductive media to non-con-
ductive solvents (or the use of conductive
solvents) can reduce the risk of an electro-
static charge.
In order to eliminate, as far as possible,
the risk of damage to the glass-lining as a
consequence of an electrostatic discharge,
the use of an electrically conductive or
In addition, the temperature level of the
cleaning process could also be increased,
with equally positive effects.
at least a conductive glass lining is worth
consideration:
The patented glass-lining THALETEC
CONDUSIST (Flyer K098 ) which has
proved its worth time and again in practice,
continuously conducts electrostatic charges
away from the glass-lined reactor and there-
by prevents damage to the glass coating.
In addition, the risk of a spark being ignited
is reduced and the area of application for
glass-lined reactors is significantly expan-
ded.
CONDUSIST conducts the electrical charge
away from the surface of the glass-lining
which is in contact with the product.
The remaining residual charge is about 1%
of the electrical charge of a conventional
technical glass-lining.
Figure 3:
Cross section through a glass-lining with
the electrically conductive THALETEC
glass-lining CONDUSIST
Issue 74 • 2016 5

The CONDUSIST glass-lining consists of an
electrically conductive base coat and seve-
ral cover coats which are also electrically
conductive.
The base coat and cover coat contain cera-
mic particles (no catalytic effect) arranged
in a network-like pattern, which divert the
electrical charge to the steel body of the
glass-lined equipment.
The essential advantages of THALETEC
CONDUSIST are:
• The entire glass-lining is electrically con-
ductive; thus the conductivity remains
even after a corrosive attack on the glass-
lining until it reaches its limit of use
Localised diversion of electrostatic charge with the CONDUCTIP
Even if the effect of merely localised
effective "discharge points" in the glass-
lined equipment is not always useful
6 Issue 74 • 2016
www.thaletec.com
• Chemical resistance of THALETEC
CONDUSIST corresponds to that of the
established RAS GLASS
• CONDUSIST has no catalytic effect
• Light blue in colour, similar to THALETEC
TPE 2000 (Pharma glass) for the manufac-
ture of active pharmaceutical ingredients
• All relevant components can be made
with an antistatic coating based on
THALETEC CONDUSIST
• Glass-lining complies with DIN EN ISO
28721-1
• CONDUSIST can be tested using high
voltage testing (5KV, AC). There is a video
available on YouTube which exp-
lains the test process and demonstrates
evidence of damage to the CONDUSIST
coating.
in terms of function, in practice such
solutions have proved their worth. With
the CONDUCTIP (Flyer K067 ) THALETEC
It is also worth mentioning that split
agitators, such as MultiFlex and CryoTec,
do not require additional conductive
elements in the shaft-hub connection in
order to ensure the conductivity of the
glass lining of the agitating element.
The use of CONDUSIST is particularly signifi-
cant in multi-purpose systems.
When the process engineering system
needs to "react" to changing and not always
foreseeable requirements in the future,
CONDUSIST can considerably extend the
area of application.
is also offering a corresponding solution:
The CONDUCTIP is a measuring tip lined
with an electrically conductive coating
which, in addition to the electrical con-
ductivity, also assumes the function of a
corrosion-resistant housing for a tempe-
rature sensor flexsens 100 (2 x Pt 100 in a
4-wire- circuit) (Flyer K061 ).
The CONDUCTIP is integrated into the val-
ve tappet of a bottom outlet valve (Flyer
K016 ).
Figure 4:
CONDUCTIP Electrically conductive
measuring tip of a bottom outlet valve
 www.thaletec.com

Fitted components made of electrically conductive PTFE

Virgin PTFE (white) is not electrically which are then inserted on sintering the In this process the colour of the compo-
conductive per se. Using additives which component, PTFE can be made electrically nents changes from white to black.
are embedded in the PTFE sinter mass and conductive.

Feed pipes

Feed pipes which protect tank nozzles and
keep the media introduced (liquids or so-
lids) away from the tank wall are available
from THALETEC in virgin PTFE as well as
electrically conductive and FDA-approved
PTFE for nominal diameters DN 25 to DN
400 (Spare parts catalogue K048 ).
The electrically conductive feed pipes have
an earth clip.
This is absolutely essential in order to en-
sure the earthing of the fitted component
which would otherwise not be earthed.

The length of the straight feed pipes is

designed in such a way that they are about
twice as long as the cylindrical area of the
respective tank nozzle.

In addition, the end of the feed pipes has Figure 5:

an angular section in order to ensure the Feed pipe made of electrically conductive
defined draining of liquid residues. PTFE with earth lug

CIP Systems

Glass-lined reactors are frequently cleaned
with CIP systems, that is to say, with rota-
ting or static spray balls through which a
cleaning medium is distributed in the tank
using high momentum, dissolving residues
and rinsing them away.
If non-conductive solvents are used for the
cleaning, the cleaning nozzles should be
made of electrically conductive materials.
Therefore THALETEC offers both spray
systems also in a conductive version with
FDA certification.

THALETEC with its systems "RotoCIPPY"
and "StatiCIPPY" (as per Flyer K082 ) of-
fers two spray systems which were develo-
ped specifically to meet the requirements
of glass-lined reactors.
The valve seat of bottom outlet valves
(Flyer K016 ) is also made of electri-
cally conductive PTFE.
For processes with non-conductive media
and the risk of electrostatic charge valve
seats can also be made of electrically con-
ductive FDA-approved PTFE.

As is the case with the feed pipes, it is also

extremely important that the valve seats
Figure 6: are earthed once fitted.
Bottom outlet valve with valve seat availa-
ble as an option in electrically conductive
PTFE

Issue 74 • 2016 7
 www.thaletec.com

Flange gaskets

THALETEC flange gaskets are designed

analogous to DIN 28148 and have a
corrugated ring made of stainless steel as
well as a gasket insert made of a suitable,
temperature-resistant soft material.

THALETEC offers two sealing systems: The

aramid fibre based system, AGR (Flyer
K025 ) and the expanded graphite
based system, GRX (Flyer K099 ). Both
insert materials are sufficiently electrically
conductive and can be earthed using me-
tallic earth clips.

For special applications and the highest

specifications in relation to the electrical
conductivity the gasket sleeves made of
mechanically produced PTFE can also be
made to be electrically conductive (black).

Figure 7:
Flange gasket for glass-lined equipment
with electrically conductive gasket inserts
GRX.

Important: Inertisation "despite" conductivity is still necessary

Now and again, manufacturers of glass-
lined equipment and components get the
impression that in using conductive glass-
linings as well as conductive fitted com-
ponents enough has been done to satisfy
the requirements of explosion protection.
This is not the case! Quite irrespective of
the measures taken, where there a risk of
a potentially explosive atmosphere in the
equipment it is imperative to avoid the risk
of ignition. This can be done through the
inertisation of the gas compartment of the
equipment.

Would you like some advice? Talk to us!

This article describes in essence all useful
and practical technical solutions for creating
and ensuring electrical conductivity in glass-
lined equipment.
Talk to our experts if you still have questions.
Just contact your area manager if you require
further advice on the topic of static electri-
city.
Or send a short email to process@thaletec.com
We will reply promptly.

8 Issue 74 • 2016
 www.thaletec.com

Baffles with concave end and temperature measurement:

protected against knocks, wear and tear
New ARB baffle for processes with liquids which contain solids and hydro-
abrasive processes
With a small but significant detail improve-
ment, the new THALETEC Type ARB (Ab-
rasion Resistant Baffle) baffle comes with
a QuickTip temperature measuring tip for
procedures particularly prone to wear.

The new ARB Baffle, which is available as a

beavertail baffle with an oval cross-section
and also as a DeltaBaffle with a triangular
profile having a maximised interference
effect, has a concave lower end, in the centre
of which a temperature measuring tip of the
QuickTip type is inset.

To protect the temperature probe tip better

against wear caused by solid-laden liquids
inflowing from the side, the lower end of the
ARB Baffle was designed concave (see Fig. 8).

In the centre of the spherical surface is the

temperature measurement tip for the flexsens
probe, protected against the direct inflow.
Figure 8:
A simulation of the flow around the end of Baffle end with a concave shape
the baffle is available on YouTube.

The QuickTip temperature measuring tip

is meanwhile the standard for glass-lined
reactors when it comes to carrying out a
rapid, accurate and calibrated temperature
measurement.

In conjunction with the Universal Pt100 sen-

sor of the flexsens type with 2 Pt100 in a
4-wire circuit, a temperature measurement
system is available which exhibits previously
unrivalled features in relation to response
time behaviour and operational safety.
ARB baffles are available for reactors from
1,600 litres of volume or for baffles from a
flange diameter of DN 200.
ARB baffles are available as beavertail baffles
and also as DeltaBaffles with a triangular
profile. In addition to the standard design,
Figure 9:
Section through the end of an ARB baffle
with a concave end and inset flexsens tem-
perature measurement system
ARB baffles can also be fitted with a premi-
um nozzle on the baffle flange, which further
expands the range of application of the
glass-lined equipment.

Issue 74 • 2016 9