Hollow Plastic Balls for Industrial Applications
 

Not just a ball but a solution to a problem For many industrial applications Euro-Matic provides not just a ball, but a solution to a problem. Most of our successful installations have resulted from working closely with customers, sharing our ideas and experience and tailoring a solution to meet their specific requirements. Euro-Matic floating ball blankets provide highly effective solutions to difficult liquid storage problems throughout the Processing. Petrochemical and Metal Treatment industries. By placing a sufficient quantity of hollow plastic balls onto the surface of a liquid, the balls automatically arrange themselves into a close packed formation over 91% of the surface area. Such a high surface coverage provides an extremely effective barrier and significantly reduces the mass and heat transfer mechanisms operating between the liquid and surrounding environment. A thermal insulation barrier is achieved through the air held in each ball and the poor heat conductivity of plastic. The air pockets between the balls, although not sealed, also contribute to this cellular insulation system which dramatically reduces heat loss. The low liquid surface area exposed to atmosphere dramatically reduces liquid loss through evaporation, odour release to the atmosphere and conversely prevents surface absorption of oxygen. Yet a blanket of Euro-Matic balls presents no impediment to product dipping or equipment which has to move through the liquid surface; the balls are pushed aside, but quickly reform their cover as the equipment moves forward or products are lifted away from the tank. The balls will rise and fall with liquid level within storage tanks, and also provide a constant cover over liquids held in reservoirs with sloping sides. If the liquid level falls, causing the surface area to shrink, the balls simply stack in a double layer; they automatically spread themselves into a single layer again as the level rises.

 

The range of innovative applications for Euro-Matic hollow plastic balls continues to grow     Heat loss Evaporation loss Oxygen absorption Odour Light penetration Acid mist reduction from electrowinning process   Camouflage nine pond basins from waterfowl        The balls spread automatically as the liquid levels rise and fall. Reduced heat loss helps to maintain biological reactions during cold weather. Quick and simple to install. Immediate solution to odour problems. Virtually maintenance free.	Euro-Matic balls - the advantages       Heating costs reduced by up to 75%. Reduction of liquid loss through evaporation by up to 90%. Reduced chemical consumption. Improved working environments. A reduction in corrosive vapours ensures increased life expectancy of building structures. Reduced demand on air extract systems, saving factory heating and reducing gas scrubber demands. Dramatically reduces foul odours reaching the atmosphere. Allows movement of equipment through the liquid. Reduces penetration of Ultra Violet rays, precluding growth of algae and clogging weeds. The rate of ice formation is reduced in freezing conditions, lowering the ice formation point by upto 50°F (10°C).
MATERIAL SPECIFICATION AND CHEMICAL RESISTANCE     Polypropylene (PP) Able to withstand continuous working temperatures of up to 110°C (230°F). Suitable for contact with most chemicals used in the metal treatment industry.   High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) - Suitable for working conditions up to 80°C (176°F). HDPE is recommended for all external applications due to its enhanced resistance to freezing conditions. Black, Ultra Violet stabilising additives prevent the degrading effects of sunlight. HDPE is also recommended for demineralised water and Chromic acid applications.   PVDF - This material offers significant increases in operating temperatures up to 160°C (320°F) providing resistance to many aggressive chemicals where alternative plastics would fall.

Ball diameter and surface coverage

Diameter (mm)	Average weight (g)	Number per ft²	Number per m²
10	0.2	1,076	11,600
20	1.0	270	2,900
25	1.5	172	1,850
38	4.5	74	800
45	7.0	53	570
50	8.0	43	465
70	16.0	22	235
100	40.0	10	116
150	100.0	4.8	51.5
The percentage of area covered by the balls is independent of the ball diameter, being the ratio of a circle to the hexagon which surrounds it. This equates to 91% of the liquid surface area. The frictional contact points ensure that each ball remains stable when subjected to increased liquid or air turbulence.

Heat and liquid loss savings

	Open   surface	1 layer   38mm balls	2 layers   38mm balls
Average Surface   Temperature oC	90       70      50	90        70      50	90       70      50
Energy consumption Kwh/h	10.73    4.61    1.61	2.70    1.31    0.60	2.04    0.76     0.51
Percentage energy   saving	-         -          -	75%    71%     65%	81%    76%    70%
Evaporation   litres/m²h	13.05   4.97   1.45	1.67    0.41    0.14	1.28    0.38    0.13
Percentage   evaporation saving	-         -           -	87%    91%    90%	90%    92%    91%

Test Tank Dimensions = 600mm(W) x 1850mm(L) x 1000mm(H). 

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