Parr Instrument Series 4540 - Manual (Page 13)

4540 High Pressure Reactor System
w w w . p a r r i n s t . c o m 13
HOW TO USE THE VESSEL
Fixed Head Vessels
First, lower the heater and push it aside before at-
tempting to remove the split ring and cylinder. Raise
the support cylinder holder to the bottom of the
cylinder and open the gas release valve to discharge
any internal pressure.
To open the Vessel
Remove the split rings. For vessels with a confined,
flat PTFE gasket, loosen the six bolts. For vessels
with an O-ring closure, loosen the latches on each
side of the split rings. The split ring halves can now
be removed, and the head with all attached fittings
will remain in place. The cylinder can now be low-
ered away. Handle the cylinder carefully so as not to
damage the stirring shaft and other internals.
Before Closing the Vessel
Examine the head seal carefully to be sure that
it is in good condition. The seal should not have
any nicks or be hardened, discolored or deformed.
Examine the mating surfaces on the cylinder and
head to be sure they are clean and free from burrs;
then raise the cylinder up to the head.
To Close the Vessel
Put the two split ring halves around the head and
cylinder flanges and fasten the latches or tighten the
bolts as assembled before.
Removable Head Vessels
First, open the gas release valve to discharge any
internal pressure. For vessels on a movable floor
cart, lift the vessel out of the heater before attempt-
ing to remove the split ring and head. For vessels
on a stationary stand, loosen the panel screw hold-
ing the vessel retainer, remove the vessel from the
stand and set it on a table.
To Open the Vessel
Remove the split rings. For vessels with a confined,
flat PTFE gasket, loosen the six bolts. For vessels
with an O-ring closure, loosen the latches on each
side of the split rings. The split ring halves can now
be removed, and the head with all attached fittings
wilt remain in place. The head with all attached fit-
tings is free to be lifted from the cylinder. Handle the
head carefully so as not to damage the stirring shaft
and other internals.
Before Closing the Vessel
Examine the head seal carefully to be sure that
it is in good condition. The seal should not have
any nicks or be hardened, discolored or deformed.
Examine the mating surfaces on the cylinder and
head to be sure they are clean and free from burrs.
Then carefully set head on cylinder.
To Close the Vessel
Slide the two split ring halves around the cylinder
and head flanges. If equipped with a drop band,
position the split ring halves such that the indenta-
tion for one of the halves is located 180 degrees
away from the pressure gage. Slide the drop band
over the split ring halves and tighten the set screw
lightly to hold the band in place.
For vessels on a movable floor cart, place the vessel
into the heater with the gage facing forward and
swing the drive arm into position, connecting the
splined coupling onto the stirrer drive. For vessels
on a stationary stand, place the vessel onto the
midplate such that the drop band set screw fits into
the slot on the back of the midplate.
Recommended Bolt Torque
Material Pressure (psi) Torque (ft-lb)
PTFE 0 - 3000 35 ft-lbs
PTFE 4000 - 5000 40 ft-lbs
Pick a starting bolt and tighten it to approximately
15 ft-lbs. Then by-pass the adjacent bolts and move
around the closure to a bolt approximately 180 de-
grees from the starting bolt. Torque all bolts to the
initial 15 ft-lbs. Then proceed with the same pattern
increasing the torque in 10 ft-lbs increments.