Case Study 2
About the Challenge
The producer of a range of lotions and personal care products was using a complete system of processing tanks and mixers from another vendor. There were significant issues with the agitator effectiveness in the viscous media and the integrity of the heating/cooling jackets. In anticipation of doubling the production capacity in an expanding facility, the customer contacted Walker Engineered Products to ask if we would work with their system integrator to come up with a solution for the larger facility.
Agitation and Heat Transfer Solution
Walker project engineers worked in conjunction with the system integrator on integrating Walker processing tanks and mixing vessels into the process system that was constrained and confined by the layout of an old building. Walker engineers designed the process vessels for the specific demands of the vessel content, use and location in the expanded facility to ensure their fit in form and function. Drawing on Walker Engineered Products vast experience with agitation and heat transfer technologies they concluded that a dimple jacket design along with a media header would enhance the heat transfer surface and result in better distribution of the heat transfer media. Walker engineers worked through the product viscosity data to determine the best agitator choice for optimum blending and mixing and heat transfer.
The interaction between the customer and their system integrator and Walker Engineered Products ultimately led to cost savings for the user. In fact, the lotion manufacturer was so pleased with the Walker solution that they are continuing the partnership on other projects.