Thickener manufacturers

Rake torque measurement is usually provided by the thickener manufacturer as part of the rake drive mechanism. Typical methods involve load cells, motor power measurement, hydraulic pressure, or mechanical displacement against a spring. Torque-measuring devices are designed to produce a signal that may be utilized for alarming or control. 

In the manufacture of base oils, one of the refining operations is to extract with the aid of an appropriate solvent (furfural most often) the most aromatic fractions and the polar components. When free of solvent, the extracted aromatic fraction can eventually be refined, particularly to remove color or to thicken it, or still further, to fractionate it. The term, aromatic extract is used in every case. 

Synthetic lubricants are made with neopentyl glycol in the base-stock polyester (24). Excellent thermal stabiHty and viscosity control are imparted to special high performance aviation lubricants by the inclusion of polyester thickening agents made from neopentyl glycol (25,26) (see LUBRICATION AND lubricants). Neopentyl glycol is also used to manufacture polymeric plasticizers that exhibit the improved thermal, hydrolytic, and uv stabiHty necessary for use in some exterior appHcations (27). 

The low molecular weight materials produced by this process are used as lubricants, whereas the high molecular weight materials, the polyisobutylenes, are used as VI improvers and thickeners. Polybutenes that are used as lubricating oils have viscosity indexes of 70—110, fair lubricating properties, and can be manufactured to have excellent dielectric properties. Above their decomposition temperature (ca 288°C) the products decompose completely to gaseous materials. 

The viscosity of an adhesive directly influences its penetration into a substrate as the viscosity increases, the penetrating power decreases. It also determines the amount of mileage or spread that can be obtained. An optimum viscosity exists for each substrate and each set of machine conditions and must be achieved in order to manufacture an efficient adhesive. Poly(vinyl acetate) emulsions are frequently too low in viscosity to be metered efficiently or to perform well as adhesives by themselves. They must be bodied to working viscosities, eg, by adding thickeners. 

Torque Rating The choice of torque rating has been discussed earlier. Torque is a function of such factors as quantity and quality of underflow (therefore, of such parameters as particle characteristics and flocculant dosage that affect underflow character), unit area, and rake speed but, in the final analysis, torque must be specified on the basis of experience modified by these factors. Unless one is experienced in a given apphcation, it is wise to consult a thickener or clarifier manufacturer. 

As with thickening, air flotation is enhanced by the addition of polymers. Flotation has been successfully used with wholly inorganic metal hydroxide sludges. Polymers and surfactants are used as additives. Engineering details on air flotation equipment has been developed by and is available from various equipment manufacturing companies. Liquid removed during thickening and flotation is usually returned to the head end of the plant. 

The ingredients in the shampoo come from many different manufacturers, in many different places around the world. From day to day, a particular batch of shampoo may differ significantly from the previous day s batch in the amount of moisture brought in with those ingredients. Salt has the effect of thickening the mixture, and is added to each batch in the amount needed to raise the viscosity to a specified level. Consequently, the customer gets a product that pours the same way each time. This consistency is important to the customer, because a watery product can cause suspicions about value or about possible tampering. 

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