QVF MINIPLANTS

Introduction

Significance of the Miniplant Technology

Miniplant technology is regularly used today in developing process production facilities. The cost savings this achieves result mainly from bypassing the engineering stage, which, experience shows, requires much time and high costs from the time of initial approval until the plant is operational. In contrast, Miniplant facilities with their low product volumes are normally built up quickly and inexpensively.

The design of the QVF Miniplant components permits simulation of a complete technical process, obtaining of samples, and the development and examination of the process strategy. In particular, the reaction of individual processes to the entire chain can be examined. The study of all processes, taking into account computer-assisted calculations, makes the scale-up of the production units possible under certain conditions. For fluid processes, the available plant components are fully developed and permit scale-up ratios of up to 1:10000. This holds for solid processes as well, with limitations, but here further development is needed.

The Miniplant technology is performed with small quantities on the kilo scale. As a rule, one can assume volumes of 5 to 10 liters for discontinuous processes, and column diameters of around 50 mm for continuous processes. The small quantities and diameter require special measures regarding process data recording, feeding and heat balances. Only the interplay of the components with the measurement and control technology and the conscientious engineering of the plant ensure the success of the Miniplant technology.

QVF Miniplant System

The Miniplant components developed by QVF supplement the component system for technical glass apparatus construction. But whereas the components of the World Product Range 2002 are assigned the CE mark as pressure-bearing components in accordance with the Pressure Equipment Directive PED 97/23 EC, Miniplant facilities are operated with a maximum excess operating pressure of 0.5 bar and are therefore not assigned the CE mark (see "Operating Conditions"). Of course, the layout and calculation, production and testing of the Miniplant components fall under the AD-200 regulations, and these components are produced with the same process monitoring in QVF's QA management system. The Miniplant components are given the QVF product label and the term "Miniplant" for differentiation. All order designations of the Miniplant components program start with M ... and thus show that they belong to these components.