PH PROCESSING RIG

[Link]

The objective of this experiment is to manually control the PH by changing the flow-rates of effluents
and reagents.

2. INTRODUCTION:

PH process rig is a self-contained assembly to demonstrate the problems associated with the pH
level control and effluent treatment methods. It is a self-contained educational platform for the
teaching of pH level control and effluent treatment methods. The pH rig comprises two independently
pumped fluid circuits mounted on a bench-top panel which allows the study of the principles of
process control using the pH of the mixed effluent and reagent fluids as the process variable [1]. Four
tanks are used, i.e. Treated tank, Reaction Vessel, Effluent tank, and Reagent tank. Reagent is used to
control the PH of effluent stream. Both reagent and effluent streams move towards reaction vessel
where reaction takes place and treated stream is sent into treated tank.

Figure.1. PH Processing Rig

3. Parts & Functions

3.1. Servo Valve

A servo valve receives pressurized hydraulic fluid from a source, typically a hydraulic pump. It then
transfers the fluid to a hydraulic cylinder at a pressure that is proportional to an electrical signal that it
receives. Most hydraulic control valves are binary; they are either on or off. Servo valves are different
in that they can continuously vary the pressure they supply from zero up to the pressure that they
receive from their source. Servo valves are often used in a feedback control where the position or
force on a hydraulic cylinder is measured, and fed back into a controller that varies the signal sent to
the servo valve. This allows very precise control of the cylinder. Servo valves are a close relative of
the proportional valve and are based on an electrical torque motor which produces a small deflection
proportional to the electrical current through its coil. They commonly use feedback between the main
and pilot spools to give precise control.

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 Figure.2. Servo Valve

3.2. Solenoid Valve

A solenoid valve is an electromechanical device in which the solenoid uses an electric current to
generate a magnetic field and thereby operate a mechanism which regulates the opening of fluid flow
in a valve. Solenoid valves differ in the characteristics of the electric current they use, the strength of
the magnetic field they generate, the mechanism they use to regulate the fluid and the type and
characteristics of fluid they control. The mechanism varies from linear action, plunger-
type actuators to pivoted-armature actuators and rocker actuators. The valve can use a two-port design
to regulate a flow or use a three or more port design to switch flows between ports. Multiple solenoid
valves can be placed together on a manifold. Solenoid valves are the most frequently used control
elements in fluidics. Their tasks are to shut off, release, dose, distribute or mix fluids. The magnetic
field exerts a force on the plunger. As a result, the plunger is pulled toward the centre of the coil so
that the orifice opens. This is the basic principle that is used to open and close solenoid valves.
"A solenoid valve is an electromechanical actuated valve to control the flow of liquids and gases."

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 Figure.3. Solenoid Valve
3.3. Peristaltic Pump

Peristaltic pumps are a type of positive displacement pump used for pumping a variety of fluids. The
fluid is contained within a flexible hose or tube fitted inside the pump casing. The actual pumping
principle, called peristalsis, is based on alternating compression and relaxation of the hose or tube,
drawing content in and propelling product away from the pump. A rotating shoe or roller passes along
the length of the hose or tube creating a temporary seal between the suction and discharge sides of the
pump. As the pump’s rotor turns this sealing pressure moves along the tube or hose forcing product to
move away from the pump and into the discharge line. Where the pressure has been released the hose
or tube recovers creating a vacuum, which draws the product into the suction side of the pump, the
priming mechanism. Combining these suction and discharge principles results in a powerful self-
priming positive displacement action [2].

Figure.4. Peristaltic Pump

3.4. Variable Area Rotameter

Rotameter is a variable area flow meter and is used to measure the flow rate of liquid or gas in a
closed tube. It is a simple, robust and is mostly used for small scale applications and measures the
flow rate by allowing the cross-sectional area the fluid travels through to vary, causing some
measurable effect. In variable area meters the size of the restriction is adjusted such that the pressure
differential remains constant when the flow rate changes and the amount of adjustment required is
proportional to the flow rate. The rotameter contains an element inside known as float and when
gravity, buoyancy and drag forces acting on the float are balanced the flow rate is indicated.

Figure.5. Rotameter

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3.5. Manual Valves

Manual valves are devices are used when a straight flow of fluid and minimum restriction is required.
These devices help in allowing or stopping the flow through valve either by closing or opening the
gate. By definition, manual valves are those valves that operate through a manual operator (such as a
hand wheel or hand lever), which are primarily used to stop and start flow (block or on off valves),
although some designs can be used for basic throttling. The best manual valves for on off service are
those that allow flow to move straight through the body, with a full-area closure element that presents
little or no pressure drop. Usually if a manual valve is used to start and stop flow, as an on off valve,
and the manual operator is placed in a mid-stroke position, partial flow is possible as a throttling
valve. However, some on off designs in a mid-stroke position are not conducive to smooth flow
conditions and may even cause turbulence and cavitations. Even though a manual on off valve is
being used in a throttling situation, it is not considered a control valve because it is not part of a
process loop, which requires some type of self-actuation as well as input from a controlling device to
a valve and position feedback. Throttling manual valves used to control flow are those that offer a
definite flow characteristic inherent or otherwise between the area of the seat opening and the stroke
of the closure element [3].

Figure.6. Manual Valves

4. Applications

 PH measurement and control offers a degree of precision in concentration control that is

5. REFERENCES:

[1]. [Link]
[2]. [Link]

[3]. [Link]

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