Waukesha Cherry-Burrell: Free Product Analysis

Correct application of WCB equipment often depends upon having accurate data relating to product characteristics such as viscosity, specific heat, specific gravity, elastomer compatibility and others. To help ensure that this data is available for our application engineers, WCB provides free laboratory analysis of customers' products when associated with active projects. Contact your local authorized WCB distributor if you would like to have your product analyzed to support selection of WCB equipment for your application.

WCB has laboratory capability to provide accurate analysis of the following product characteristics:

Viscosity - This is a critical characteristic of all liquids that is frequently misunderstood and incorrectly specified, leading to incorrect equipment selection. In addition, viscosity can be extremely variable for a given liquid, changing with temperature, shear rate and shear history. Viscosity has a strong effect on the following equipment parameters, and accurate data is critical for correct equipment specification:

• Rotary PD Pumps; volumetric efficiency (speed of operation) and horsepower
  

• Centrifugal Pumps; horsepower
  

• System Pressure calculations
  

• Heat Exchangers; power requirements and efficiency
  

• Valves; sizing, holding pressure requirements
  

• Dispersion equipment; power requirements

Specific Heat - This product characteristic is a measurement of the amount of energy (BTUs) required to change a product's temperature. This information is critical for correct heat exchanger selection.

Percent Solids - This is a measure of the amount of solids in a liquid; the material remaining after all the water (or other solvent) is evaporated. This data is important for heat exchanger selection and in addition, may affect the selection of proper seal design for other equipment with rotating seals such as pumps and dispersion equipment.

Density/Specific Gravity - Density is the weight of a specified volume of liquid (example: pounds/gallon). Specific Gravity is the ratio of a product's density compared to water. This product characteristic is needed for converting units of liquid weight into units of liquid volume, often required for pump selection. A liquid's specific gravity is also a direct multiplier to the required horsepower in centrifugal pump applications.

Material Compatibility Testing - The materials used in equipment must be compatible with the fluid(s) being processed to ensure satisfactory performance. There are several available choices of elastomers (rubber components), and testing may be required to determine which one is compatible with an unfamiliar fluid. Soak tests are performed to evaluate the effect the fluid has on the various available elastomer choices. In addition, there may be concerns regarding corrosion resistance of our metal materials such as 316 stainless steel or Alloy 88 rotor material, when processing certain aggressive chemicals. Soak tests are used to determine suitability of these materials.

Other capabilities include microscopic analysis to determine particle or droplet size to help evaluate emulsion stability; vapor pressure determination (necessary for Net Inlet Pressure Available calculations for pump selection) and a pH measurement.