|
|
|
|
|
01/03/2010
(Read full story here or download PDF)
 Email to a friend
 Comment on this article
|
Hybrid gearboxes, installed to open and close fume capture doors at Corus steelworks' iron desulphurisation plant in Scunthorpe, have proved
themselves strong, durable and capable of very high torque, despite low energy input.
 Previously, the site used two wet scrubbers to remove fumes generated by the iron preparation and desulphurisation processes, but, when these were becoming inefficient, Corus commissioned a bag filter plant. Heavy doors were designed to close and contain the fumes, while the extraction system draws them away, but the gearboxes to drive the doors had to be very compact to fit into the space.
Jon Snaith, general manager at Brevini UK, says his organisation designed and built a solution that met all the application requirements, using its Posiplan BPH range of planetary and helical hybrid technology shaft-mounted gearboxes. "Posiplan offers the best of both worlds, delivering higher capacities from smaller units, which allows for a significant increase in capacity over a more traditional design," says Snaith.
"Different sized motors are available and are selected using motor performance curves to ensure maximum efficiency," he explains.
The result is a gearbox that combines the low weight, high speed and high reduction ratio characteristics of planetary gear stages on the input side, but with the higher capacity, strength, durability and torque of bevel helical gears on the output side. It was also constructed using labyrinth sealing technology and high performance bearings to extend operating life in this harsh application environment.
Brevini supplied four of these units for the filter plant, each with a reduction ratio 2,813.5:1 and fitted with a tiny 1.5kW motor. They run at a low speed of 0.5 rpm, providing output torque of 22,000Nm. Corus also went for the shaft-mounted design, to avoid the limitations of exposed transmission alternatives, using belts, chains or pulleys, which don't fare well in harsh environments.
|
|
| |
Author
Brian Tinham
|
| |
| |
|
| |
This material is protected by SOE copyright 2012.
See Terms and Conditions.
One-off usage is permitted but bulk copying is not.
For multiple copies contact the sales team.
|
| |
|
|
| |
|