Instructions for use and maintenance
This manual is owned by GEA Niro Soavi Any reproduction, even partial, is prohibited.
07C100-7C0
GEA Niro Soavi
152
SHEET B
HOMOGENIZING UNIT
GENERAL INFORMATION
The homogenizing valve is made up of 3 parts (with reference to 7-24):
- passage head
(1)
- impact head
(2)
- impact ring
(3)
.
Homogenization occurs during the flow between the facing surfaces of the 2 heads, which takes
place at very high speed and is completed by the impact with the outer ring.
The fluid dynamics at very high pressure occurring inside the homogenizing valve are complex;
generally we can describe the micronization of the particles contained in the liquid phase as a
combination of effects of turbulence, shearing, local cavitation and impact.
The three parts of the homogenizing valve, made of high hardness materials with high resistance
to abrasion, are normally subject to wear at a rate that depends on the type of product processed;
therefore, different effects related to these phenomena can be observed on the surface:
- radial furrowing extending from the internal diameter
(4)
;
- small craters close to the external diameter
(5)
;
- large craters and wear close to the internal diameter
(6)
.
When the furrowing due to wear becomes marked and reaches the outside diameter, the
homogenization efficiency is reduced.
It is therefore necessary to replace the components when the furrowing reaches approximately 3/4
of the useful size and in any case when a reduction in homogenization efficiency is noticed.
In some cases, due to component wear, it is no longer possible to reach the desired working pressure,
so the homogenizing valve must be replaced.
Local cavitation phenomena can create craters and marked furrows on the surfaces of the valve; in
this case, too, it is necessary to replace the worn components.
As regards the impact ring
(3)
, it has the twofold function of completing homogenization by impact
and protecting the body of the homogenizing unit from erosion.
Wear causes a furrow
(7)
to form on its inner surface that impairs the homogenization.
It is recommended to renew the ring when the furrow reaches a depth of approx. 1 mm.
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