Precision Welding of Leadwires and Resistor Elements, Wireforms and Glass Tube Cutting for Lighting and Electronics

ROHS Compliant Precision Welding of Leadwires
and Resistor Elements, Wireforms and Glass Tube Cutting for Lighting and Electronics

CIT Innovations

 

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Component InterTechnologies
2426 Perry Highway
Hadley, PA USA 16130

Tel: 724-253-3161
Fax: 724-253-3853
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Becoming a Green Factory: Preventing the Release of Contaminated Water into the Environment through a Closed Loop Mechanical Filtration System

Component InterTechnologies has been cutting glass with high lead content for many years. During that time environmental regulations have been changed concerning the treatment of used process water.

To address the need to process water used in cutting leaded glass, Component InterTechnologies developed a closed loop water filtration system. This system is designed to process 200 gallons of water per minute on 24 hours per day.  The design uses several mechanical processes to filter water in a 5000 gallon process loop.  Because the water is used in not only the glass cutting but also in the washing of finished glass, the quality of the water is critical. To accomplish this the system uses 6 separate filtration loops within the main system.

water filtration flow

  1. The first step in the filtration is settling and gross separation of large glass pieces in a settling tank (Tank #1).
  2. The second step is processing the water through a Hydra Encyclon separator (Encyclon Filter). This unit uses a high speed spinning of water process that will separate over 90% of particulate of 5 microns or larger. The reject water from this process is then returned to a second settling tank (Tank #5). The cleaned water is sent to a process water holding tank (Tank #2).
  3. The third step is a large Diatomaceous Earth (DE) filter. This filter draws water from the first process water holding tank and passes the water through the filter media where most of the remaining particulate is removed. The clean water is sent to a second process water holding tank (Tank #3). At this point the water is suitable for use on the glass cutting machines and most is returned to the department for use.
  4. The fourth step is a second DE filtration of the process water. This loop uses a much smaller DE filter system to polish the process water from Tank #3. As a portion of the process water is filtered in the second DE filter, the polished water is routed to a process water holding tank (Tank #4) for use by the glass washing machines.
  5. Just prior to use by the g lass washing machines the water is passed though large fine bag filters for final filtration.  
  6. Following the washing process the glass is rinsed in Deionized water and then dried. The DI rinse adds fresh water to the system
  7. The last step in the system is dewatering and removal of the glass particulate and used DE powder. This glass particulate and DE powder are settled in the second settling tank (Tank #5) and then pumped to filter press for de-watering. The returned water is sent back to the first settling tank for reuse. After dewatering the press cake is removed as hazardous waste by a licensed contractor for disposal.
  8. The only water added to the system is DI rinse water used during the cleaning process. Any excess water is removed via evaporation during processing and if needed, sent to a gas-fired evaporator for disposal. Any solids left after evaporation are then sent to the licensed contractor.

The condition of the water is essential to cutting and cleaning. First, it is necessary to control PH to 7-8 to protect the glass and maintain a normal level of dissolved solids.
Second, the suspended solids are measured using a turbidity instrument. It is also necessary to control the Chorine level at 3ppm.  The final control is the soap level which affects the quality of the cutting machines. The soap is a near neutral material that helps with the wetting of the diamond saws and is also in solution during the glass cleaning.