Objective: The objective of this procedure is to establish guidelines for operating a paste preparation kettle effectively.
Scope: This procedure applies to the operation of the paste preparation kettle located in the manufacturing area.
Responsibility: The responsibility for following this procedure lies with the Operator, Officer, and Executive of the Production Department, as well as the Manager of the Production Department.
Procedure:
Operation:
- Ensure the cleanliness of the equipment and the surrounding area.
- After obtaining clearance from Quality Assurance (QA), affix the “UNDER PROCESS” label, duly filled and signed, onto the machine.
- Record the start time of the batch in the equipment usage log sheet, following the provided Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
- Verify that the main switch is in the “ON” position.
- Ensure that the limit switch is properly pressed.
- Take the specified quantity of purified water into the vessel, as mentioned in the Batch Manufacturing Record.
- Open the hot water supply and return valve, and start heating the purified water to the temperature specified in the Batch Manufacturing Record.
- Gradually add the slurry into the vessel and activate the agitator by switching it to the “ON” position.
- The agitator should rotate clockwise.
- Close the hot water valve once the desired translucent paste is obtained. Check the temperature of the binder using a temperature probe.
- Cool the binder in the paste vessel to the temperature specified in the Batch Manufacturing Record.
- Tilt the paste vessel with the help of the handwheel and unload the binder into a relabeled, cleaned Stainless Steel (S.S.) container.
- Attach a “TO BE CLEANED” label, duly filled, to the paste preparation kettle.
- Record the completion time of the process in the equipment usage log sheet, following the provided SOP.
Related SOP: SOP on Procedure and Operation of Vibratory Sifter
Precautions and Checkpoints:
- Avoid overheating the binder.
- Ensure that the agitator is rotating in a clockwise direction.
- Make sure the blade does not come into contact with the vessel’s surface.
Abbreviations:
Q.A.: Quality Assurance
S.S.: Stainless Steel
SOP: Standard Operating Procedure