One fascinating project at our Bengaluru Dewatering Laboratory involved repeated customer visits for thickening and filtration tests. We explored unique materials, like vegetable starch as a flocculant alternative for thickeners and dewatering aids for filtration technologies.
Building trust through testing
A few years ago, we conducted Buchner tests at a customer’s site for an application involving hazardous solvents. The promising results prompted the customer to immediately rent a pilot unit. After observing consistent cake production that met their requirements within hours, they confidently chose the Metso Larox® RT GT filter. The filter is now operational, performing smoothly, and the customer is considering a second stream for expansion.
Common challenges and how we overcome them
Testing often presents challenges such as non-representative slurry samples, insufficient slurry quantities (especially in the chemical industry), and poor coordination between project and process teams at customer sites. Additionally, lengthy sample analysis times can extend test campaigns.
Challenges like limited sample volumes, which complicate filtration cycle optimization, or hazardous samples requiring extra safety measures we tackle through transparent communication with customers and our sales team.
Customers involvement in testing
We collaborate with customers by discussing upstream processes and slurry representation for testing. We explain the testing approach, outline how we aim to meet their goals and post-testing, we highlight the techno-commercial benefits of the equipment beyond just meeting targets.
