The NOWPak® Liner-Based Canister System is a comprehensive solution for the safe and efficient handling of advanced materials, particularly high-purity chemicals. This system is designed to provide a robust and reliable containment solution, ensuring product integrity and user safety throughout the chemical dispensing process.
Function Description
The NOWPak system consists of a stainless-steel outer shell and a single-use inner liner, which is filled with the desired chemical. The liner acts as the primary containment for the chemical, while the outer canister provides structural support and protection. This design prevents direct contact between the chemical and the reusable canister, simplifying cleaning and maintenance.
The system facilitates the dispensing of chemicals through a specialized dispense connector, which is installed on the end user's application. When the canister is empty, the liner collapses, and the canister can be refurbished with a new, pre-cleaned liner and refilled with chemicals.
Key components of the system include:
- Liner-Based Canisters: Available in various sizes (4, 10, 18, 19, 20, 40, and 200 liters), these stainless-steel containers house the single-use liners.
- Replacement Liners: These are the primary chemical containment, designed for single use. They are pre-cleaned and pre-folded for easy insertion.
- Retainers: These components secure the liner within the canister and prevent it from falling inside during the dispensing process.
- Fitment Adapters: These adapters connect the liner to the dispense connector.
- Diptubes: These tubes extend into the liner to draw out the chemical during dispensing. They are available in different lengths and designs to accommodate various canister sizes and dispense requirements.
- Breakseals: These are designed to prevent chemical leakage and ensure product integrity until the system is ready for use.
- Dispense Connectors: These are installed on the end user's application and connect to the canister's fitment adapter to facilitate chemical dispensing. Various types are available, including ND-CD, ND-LD, and ND-ED MaxMT™ systems, each with specific features for different applications.
- Closures: These secure the top of the canister, available in one-piece and two-piece designs, and are compatible with different O-ring materials (EPDM, FEP-encapsulated silicone).
- Inflation Fixtures (BIF): These devices are used to inflate the liner inside the canister prior to chemical filling, ensuring proper seating and preventing wrinkles. Both manual and automated versions are available.
Important Technical Specifications
- Canister Sizes: 4-liter, 10-liter, 18-liter, 19-liter, 20-liter, 40-liter, and 200-liter.
- Maximum Operating Pressure: 101 kPa (14.7 psig) within the United States. Outside of the United States, local regulations may require lower dispense pressures.
- Maximum Internal Canister Pressure: 193 kPa (28.0 psig) for canisters larger than 40 liters. Do not allow the pressure inside any canister to exceed this rating.
- Liner Materials: Fluoropolymer materials for high-purity aggressive chemicals, and extruded polyethylene materials for less aggressive applications.
- O-ring Materials: EPDM, Chemraz, FEP-encapsulated silicone, and Semi-perfluoroelastomer, chosen based on chemical compatibility.
- Dispense Connector Types: ND-CD (standard), ND-LD (long threaded collar), and ND-ED MaxMT™ (integrated dispense detector).
- Torque Specifications: Specific torque values are required for closing canister closures, ensuring a proper seal. For example, NC-W2 polypropylene closures for 4- to 20-liter canisters require 9.0 – 9.6 N•m (80–85 in•lbs).
- Fill Time (no units): 3.5 for 4- to 20-liter, 3.5 for 40-liter, and 3.5 for 200-liter.
- Test Time (no units): 1 for all sizes.
- Exhaust Time (no units): 2.5 for 4- to 20-liter, 2.5 for 40-liter, and 3.25 for 200-liter.
- N2 Switch: 62.0 ±1.7 kPa (9.00 ±0.25 psig) for all sizes.
- N2 Regulator: 82.7 ±6.9 kPa (12.00 ±1.00 psig) for 4- to 40-liter, and 165.5 ±6.9 kPa (24.00 ±1.00 psig) for 200-liter.
- CDA Regulator: 276 – 483 kPa (40 – 70 psig) for 4- to 40-liter, and 345 – 483 kPa (50 – 70 psig) for 200-liter.
- Flow Rate at Fill Head: ≥75 L/min for 4- to 20-liter, ≥170 L/min for 40-liter, and ≥270 L/min for 200-liter.
- Equipment Cycle Time (reference): 4-liter: 15 – 20 sec, 10-liter: 20 – 25 sec, 18-19, 20-liter: 30 – 35 sec, 40-liter: 60 sec, 200-liter: 120 sec.
- No Load Set Up (reference): 35 – 55 kPa (5 – 8 psig) for all sizes.
- No Load Set Up Reading (reference): 14 – 21 kPa (2 – 3 psig) for all sizes.
Usage Features
- Ease of Handling: Filled canisters must be handled using appropriate canister handling equipment, such as a four-wheel drum dolly for 200-liter canisters. Users are warned against rolling canisters on their side.
- Liner Inflation: The system requires the liner to be inflated inside the canister prior to filling. This can be done using a Bag Inflation Fixture (BIF), either manually or automatically, to ensure the liner is properly seated and wrinkle-free.
- Chemical Filling: Chemicals are filled into the inflated liner. The system includes procedures for monitoring pressure during filling to prevent over-pressurization.
- Diptube Insertion: Diptubes are carefully inserted into the liner, ensuring proper seating and connection to the fitment adapter.
- Closure Application: Canister closures are applied and torqued to specific values to ensure a secure seal.
- Dispensing: The dispense connector is attached to the canister, and the chemical is dispensed. The system includes procedures for connecting and disconnecting the dispense connector, as well as troubleshooting guidelines for common issues.
- Empty Canister Management: Once empty, the liner collapses, and the canister can be prepared for refurbishment. The system outlines procedures for removing the diptube and liner.
- Safety Precautions: The manual emphasizes general safety precautions, including the use of appropriate Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), proper ventilation to avoid hazardous chemical vapors, and regular inspection of dispense connectors for evidence of chemical leaks. Warnings are provided regarding over-pressurization, rolling canisters, and handling filled canisters.
Maintenance Features
- Refurbishment: The NOWPak system is designed for easy refurbishment. Empty canisters are returned to chemical suppliers for disassembly, cleaning, recycling, and refilling operations performed by chemical suppliers.
- Liner Replacement: Single-use liners are replaced with new, pre-cleaned liners during refurbishment.
- O-ring Maintenance: Regular inspection and replacement of O-rings in the diptube, closure, and dispense connector are crucial for maintaining system integrity and preventing leaks. The manual provides detailed procedures for O-ring removal and replacement, including specific O-ring part numbers and recommended replacement intervals.
- Diptube Maintenance: Diptubes are reusable and should be thoroughly cleaned and inspected before each new use. Damaged or worn diptubes must be replaced.
- Closure Maintenance: Closures should be inspected for wear or damage, and O-rings should be replaced as needed.
- Dispense Connector Maintenance: Regular maintenance, including cleaning and O-ring replacement, is required for dispense connectors. The manual provides detailed procedures for removing interfering O-rings and replacing them.
- Troubleshooting: The manual includes a troubleshooting section for common chemical leaks, outlining symptoms, causes, and corrective actions.
- Required Tools: Entegris provides specialized tools for filling, operation, and maintenance, including torque wrenches, torque adapter tools, diptube removal tools, liner removal tools, liner insertion tools, breakseal insertion tools, O-ring removal tool kits, and manual inflation fixtures. These tools are essential for proper system operation and maintenance.
- Cleaning Procedures: The manual outlines cleaning procedures for various components, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a cleanroom environment for certain operations.
- Compatibility Matrix: An Appendix provides a canister compatibility matrix, which is a quick method for checking which components (liner, closure, O-ring, diptube, and dispense connector) can be used with each canister size. This ensures proper configuration and prevents incompatibility issues.
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