Side
Tanks & Remote Color Kitchen Used in Dyeing & Bleaching
Processes
Dyeing and bleaching processes
require the addition of various ingredients (dyes and chemicals)
at pre-determined points throughout the process. Except
for fully automated systems, ingredients must be prepared
manually by an operator within an open mixing tank for later
transfer to the machine on which the process is being run.
Ingredients may be used separately or in combination and may
require dissolving, dilution, agitation, or heating, depending
on each plant's process.
The
purpose of this SAFETY ALERT is to advise of certain hazards
associated with the manual preparation of dye and chemical
hazards associated with the manual preparation of dye and
chemical ingredients in open mixing tanks. It's purpose is
also to provide general recommendations for the safe operation
of mixing tanks used with dyeing and bleaching machinery.
Safety Warning Labels are available on request from the company.
HAZARD
WARNINGS
1.
Certain heat reactive chemicals are known to produce a violent
exothermic reaction when mixed with water above the recommended
mixing temperature or when heated. Sodium hydroxide
(caustic soda) and sodium hydrosulfite (hydro) are two common
examples. The reaction may be greater where excessive
amounts of such chemicals are used or the chemical is added more
quickly than the time necessary for the chemical to
dissolve. In order to minimize the hazard to operators,
procedures for mixing heat reactive chemicals must specify the
tank preparation temperature and require operator verification
of temperature immediately prior to adding the chemical to the
tank. Tanks containing heat reactive chemicals should not
be heated after the chemical is in the tank.
2.
The combination of certain chemical ingredients may produce a
violent reaction accompanied by the release of fumes, gas, heat
and the possibility of tank boil-over. The reaction may be
greater when chemicals are in concentrated form and not
sufficiently diluted or are combined too quickly. When
confined within a closed add line, intermixing of incompatible
chemicals can result in catastrophic failure of add system
piping due to pressure build-up. Procedures should be
structured in order to minimize the risk of such reactions and
operators warned of this danger and how to avoid this
danger. Tank liquid level controls and flush systems must
be maintained in good working condition to insure that tanks and
lines are thoroughly cleared and rinsed before beginning the
next tank preparation.
3.
Mixing tanks equipped with manually operated steam spargers or
heating coils may be subject to over-heating and boil-over if
left unattended while heating. Operators must remain near
the tank in order to monitor the tank's temperature while the
tank is being heated. Proper tank temperature must be
verified immediately prior to adding any ingredients to the
tank.
______________________________________________
Should you have any questions
regarding this SAFETY ALERT please contact Gaston County Dyeing
Machine Company Customer Service Department. For a nominal
charge, we can do a full safety inspection of your machine(s) as
well as providing parts and technical service for recommended
updates and any other needed repairs. You can reach our
offices at the following telephone and FAX numbers:
Telephone: (704) 822-5000
FAX: (704) 822-0753
Written inquiries may be
addressed to the attention of your Account Manager at the
following address:
Gaston County Dyeing Machine
Company, Inc.
P.O. Box 308
Stanley, NC 28164
Gaston County Dyeing Machine
Company offers various levels of automation for use on mixing
tanks ranging from the simplest manual tanks to state-of-the-art
automated dissolving and dispensing systems. Should you
wish to consider upgrading your present system, please contact
Gaston County Customer Service or your Account Manager.
