Sound way to beat blockages

Tag : Sound Equipment
Sound way to beat blockages James Ferguson
24/ 6/2008

A NEW Manchester company hopes to revolutionise the constructionindustry with its pioneering technique for blasting blockages frompipes using the power of sound.

Scientist turned entrepreneur Dr Charlie Zhou has used his academicknow-how to develop technology which uses sonic shock waves toprevent obstructions building up in equipment.

His company AcousTech, based at Manchester Science Park, provides a range of acousticcleaning solutions for firms involved in manufacturing buildingsupplies, such as cement, concrete and petro-chemicals.

The clearing system improves flow and increases the overallefficiency of machinery.

And one of the main benefits is that it prevents material buildingup in the first instance - the old adage that prevention is betterthan cure.

AcousTech director Dr Zhou explained: "You could call it rocketscience!

"The technology uses a very similar principle, generating a suddenshock wave travelling at four times the speed of sound."

He added: "The moisture content of some materials used inmanufacturing building supplies means they tend to stick toequipment, such as chutes, causing a blockage.

Shockwave

"AcousTech uses an automatic shockwave generator to create acontrolled explosion, basically a gas and air mixture, at the pointof build-up. This safely clears the chute without the need to stopproduction.

"We have received excellent feedback from companies which havetrialled our shockwave generators; the majority have gone on toeither purchase or rent our equipment."

Before AcousTech, machinery would have had to be shut down fortime-consuming and often dangerous manual cleaning, which exposesworkers to hazards like moving parts and inhaling dust.

AcousTech's new technique means this is no longer necessary, asshockwaves blast away any substance that sticks to equipment whilework is ongoing, maximising productivity and eliminating risk.

The technology has already been picked up by a number of firms inthe north west, one of which has been short-listed in the QPA(Quarry Products Association) Health and Safety Best PracticeAwards 2008 for its initiative in using AcousTech's prototypeshockwave generator.

AcousTech is also exploring how the technology can be applied toother sectors, including power generation industries.

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