Clogged cooling water jacket of a twin-screw extruder: Solutions and preventive measures

Unblocking methods

1. Chemical cleaning

Advantages: Easy to operate, good effect.

Disadvantages: Requires the use of chemicals, which can pollute the environment.

Specific steps:

Pour the chemical cleaning agent (such as citric acid, vinegar, hydrochloric acid, etc.) into the cooling water tank.

Run the machine for a while to allow the cleaning agent to circulate.

Drain the cleaning agent and dirt.

Flush the cooling water passages with clean water.

2. Disassembly and cleaning

Advantages: Thoroughly removes blockages.

Disadvantages: The operation is complicated and time-consuming.

Specific steps:

Stop the machine, turn off the power and cooling water.

Disassemble the barrel and cooling water pipes.

Clean the cooling water passages with water or cleaning agent until all blockages are removed.

Reassemble the barrel and cooling water pipes.

3. Other methods

Ultrasonic cleaning: Use ultrasonic waves to break up blockages.

Electromagnetic pulse cleaning: Use electromagnetic pulses to loosen blockages.

4. Using vinegar essence

Advantages: Easy to operate, readily available.

Disadvantages: The effect may not be as good as other methods.

Specific steps:

Mix vinegar essence with hot water in a 1:1 ratio.

Pour the mixture into the cooling water tank.

Run the machine for a while to allow the mixture to circulate.

Drain the mixture and dirt.

Flush the cooling water passages with clean water.

Precautions

Before performing any unblocking operation, be sure to read the machine's user manual and follow the safety instructions.

If you are not familiar with the relevant operations, do not do it yourself to avoid damage.

Additional recommendations:

For minor blockages, citric acid, vinegar essence, or vinegar can be used for chemical cleaning.

For severe blockages, it is recommended to use hydrochloric acid for chemical cleaning, but be sure to take protective measures.

If chemical cleaning is not effective, disassembly and cleaning are required.

To prevent the cooling water passages from clogging again, it is recommended to use high-quality cooling water regularly and clean it regularly.

In addition to the above methods, I would also recommend using a water softener to prevent scale buildup in the cooling water passages. This can help to extend the life of the cooling system and reduce the need for frequent cleaning.

I would also recommend regularly monitoring the temperature of the cooling water to ensure that it is within the recommended range. If the temperature is too high, it can cause the material to degrade and clog the cooling passages.

Finally, I would recommend keeping a log of the maintenance history for the cooling system. This can help to identify any trends that may be developing and to schedule preventive maintenance accordingly.

Preventive measures

Regularly inspect the cooling water passages to remove impurities and deposits.

Use high-quality cooling water and replace it regularly.

Install a filter to prevent impurities from entering the water passages.

Regularly check the cooling water pump and cooling tower to ensure they are working properly.