SLES mixing and dilution unit
SLES or Sodium Laureth Sulfate, is an organic chemical compound, called a surfactant, with excellent cleansing and foaming properties. For this reason, it is an ingredient of various detergents, household products, soaps, and shampoos.
SLES is usually supplied to the producers of the above liquids at a concentration of 70% and due to its physical properties, this concentrated solution is difficult to handle and must be diluted below 27% before using it in the process line. Buying SLES at a 27% concentration can be a huge financial investment for companies, however, with Tapflo’s SLES Mixing and Dilution Unit customers can purchase SLES at 70% concentration and dilute it themselves. Our system allows continuous dilution with maximum efficiency and safety, reducing the cost to the company in the long run.
Fast facts
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS
SLES or Sodium Laureth Sulfate, is an organic chemical compound, called a surfactant, with excellent cleansing and foaming properties. For this reason, it is an ingredient of various detergents, household products, soaps, and shampoos.
SLES is usually supplied to the producers of the above liquids at a concentration of 70% and due to its physical properties, this concentrated solution is difficult to handle and must be diluted below 27% before using it in the process line. Buying SLES at a 27% concentration can be a huge financial investment for companies, however, with Tapflo’s SLES Mixing and Dilution Unit customers can purchase SLES at 70% concentration and dilute it themselves. Our system allows continuous dilution with maximum efficiency and safety, reducing the cost to the company in the long run.
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| The Tapflo SLES mixing and dilution unit is designed to simplify and streamline the process of preparing SLES or other surfactant solutions. This SKID-mounted unit offers instant and continuous mixing and dilution, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual methods.
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Our system provides full control over the process of mixing and diluting surfactants. It allows you to set the required concentration value, the dosed batch volume, and the flow rate. The diluted SLES is homogeneous and stable over time.
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The in-line dilution process offers significant energy and time savings compared to traditional dilution methods, which require heating and mixing liquids. Our system enables dilution of SLES stored at room temperature, which is considerably more energy-efficient. Moreover, it instantly delivers diluted liquid, which allows for increased production capabilities by reducing the time needed to produce a batch of final product, such as detergent.
At the system outlet, there is SLES diluted to the exact required concentration. Thanks to a short start-up time of just a few seconds, our system ensures a smooth and homogeneous liquid. Through rigorous testing, we consistently achieved precise concentration values and a stable liquid over time. Trust our device, which provides reliable and dependable results.
The system is controlled by a programmable logic controller (PLC) and human-machine interface (HMI) built into a cabinet. The HMI allows the operator to monitor and control the system’s operation to achieve the desired dilution ratio, flow rate, and other parameters. The control program’s features make it easy to operate and maintain, while the system’s high process safety and time-saving benefits ensure consistent and reliable operation.
The control program offers the following modes:
| 1. Setting the required concentration: The operator can set the required concentration of the diluted liquid using the HMI. The PLC adjusts the pumping speed of the pumps based on readings from the flow meters to achieve the desired concentration. | 2. Setting the required flow rate: The operator can set the required flow rate of the diluted SLES using the HMI. The PLC adjusts the pumping speed to maintain the desired flow rate.
 Main screen with parameters and status information |
| 3. Charts of main parameters: The control program displays charts of the main parameters, including flow rate and liquid concentration, as well as the status of attached devices, such as pumps and valves. This allows the operator to monitor the system’s performance and adjust parameters as needed.
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4. Counters of produced liquid: The control program includes counters to track the amount of SLES 70%, water, and diluted SLES produced by the system. This provides an easy way to monitor the system’s performance and verify that it meets production requirements. Included is one counter that can be manually reset after each batch, and a second one that cannot be reset and provides information on the total output of the system.
 Counters screen |
5. Error history: The control program logs any errors or malfunctions that occur during operation, along with the date and time they occurred. This allows for easy troubleshooting and maintenance of the system.
 Alarms screen |
6. Remote support module: The system comes with a remote support module that allows for online startup and immediate assistance from our motorers. After the system is installed and connected to the required media, our motorers can assist with the initial startup and ensure the system is operating correctly. |
This system also allows to dose and mix other liquids, for example, Betaine or water needed for composing the final product. There is included one spare connection for the other liquids. This can be developed in the future, providing dosing of more liquids.
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