Installation, Operation, and Storage of Glass Lined Equipment

Installation of Glass Lined Equipment

1. Safe Transport and Handling

When transporting unpackaged glass lined equipment, force must only be applied to the lifting lugs. Ensure that the coupler, clamps, and other vulnerable parts are not subjected to stress. The equipment must never be rolled or moved with crowbars, as this may cause serious damage. It is also essential to avoid shocks and collisions during handling.

2. Hoisting and Lifting

When lifting glass lined equipment, the wire rope must be secured to the designated points such as the jacket nozzle or the tank lugs. The lifting rings on the tank lid are designed only for removing the lid and must not be used to lift the entire vessel. The equipment should always be hoisted smoothly and lowered gently, ensuring that it does not collide with other objects during handling.

3. Pre-assembly Inspection

Before starting assembly, the inspector should enter the vessel wearing clean, soft-soled shoes to avoid damaging the lining. Inside, check carefully that the glass surface is intact, with no cracks, scratches, or other defects that could affect performance.

4. Flange Mounting

Flange bolts must be tightened gradually and evenly. Work diagonally, tightening bolts in pairs to distribute the pressure. Never tighten one side all at once, as uneven force can crack the glass lining or cause hidden stress that shortens service life.

5. Clamp Installation

Check all clamps in advance to ensure they are undamaged and in the correct quantity. During installation, place clamps at equal intervals and tighten them evenly. Proper spacing and balanced tightness are essential to guarantee safe operation and reliable sealing over time.

6. Agitator Installation

a. Initial Setup
Lay a soft protective mat at the bottom of the vessel, then place the agitator on it. Lift the tank lid to the correct position and mount the seal on the agitator shaft. After that, raise the agitator and connect it to the reducer’s output shaft. Secure the connection firmly with the check nut and check bolt.
b. Alignment and Testing
Adjust the agitator shaft and seal for proper concentricity and vertical alignment, following the technical specifications. Rotate the shaft slowly by hand first. It must move smoothly and without resistance. Only when this has been confirmed should the motor be started.

7. Gasket Selection

The choice of gasket depends on the medium being handled, its type, concentration, and working temperature. Both the material and the way it is applied must fit the process requirements. At present, we supply several options:

PTFE-wrapped asbestos gasket
PTFE-wrapped asbestos gasket with corrugated stainless steel
PTFE-wrapped non-asbestos gasket with corrugated stainless steel
PTFE-wrapped rubber gasket

8. Welding

Welding directly on the outer surface of a glass lined vessel is not allowed.
When it is necessary to weld nozzles, lugs, or supports, electric welding should be used along with proper cooling. Gas welding is strictly forbidden. If welding has to be done close to the glass lining, make sure to cover both the lining and the nozzles. This will protect them from sparks and welding slag, since even a small splash can easily cause damage.

Operating Guidelines for Glass Lined Equipment

When using glass lined equipment, the following points should always be observed:

Make sure no metal tools or other hard objects fall into the vessel. Even a light knock can damage the glass lining by causing chips or cracks.
Do not add hot materials to a cold tank or cold materials to a hot tank. Sudden temperature changes create internal stress that can reduce the service life of the vessel.
When operating a jacketed vessel, always bring up the pressure and temperature gradually. Begin by feeding in steam at about 0.1 MPa and keep it steady for 15 minutes to let the vessel warm evenly. After that, increase the pressure and temperature step by step until it reaches the normal working level. As a rule of thumb, the pressure should not rise by more than 0.1 MPa every 10 minutes.
Heating and cooling must always remain within safe ranges. Our glass lined equipment is designed for operating temperatures between 0 and 200 ℃, with a thermal shock tolerance of 120 ℃ and a cold shock tolerance of 110 ℃. If operation outside these limits is required, it must be specified in the order contract so that we can design equipment suited to those conditions.
Acid must not be allowed to enter the jacket. Contact between acid and the steel beneath the glass can generate hydrogen, which may cause lining failure.
If the discharge valve or pipeline becomes blocked, gently clear it with a nonmetallic tool. Do not strike the valve or pipe.
Never use hardware tools to clean the inside of the tank. Any residue on the internal surface should be cleaned promptly and thoroughly to prevent damage to the glass lining.

Proper Storage of Glass Lined Equipment

Glass lined equipment should ideally be stored indoors, in a warehouse or covered facility. If outdoor storage is unavoidable, proper protection against rain and moisture must be provided. In regions with cold winters, all water inside the tank, jacket, and pipelines should be completely drained before freezing temperatures arrive. This prevents the glass lining from cracking due to ice expansion. During storage, it is also important to avoid any contact with hard objects. Scratching, rubbing, or impact can damage the glass surface and affect the long-term reliability of the glass lined equipment.

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