AIR Springs Supply says its flexible air springs are being used to grind coal down into powder in order to increase power generation efficiency.
In order prepare coal for use in power stations, massive rollers in mills are used to pulverise gravel-sized coal into a talcum-powder consistence. Each mill contains three rollers which roll on a rotating turntable.
Traditionally, steel springs were used to exert the pressure needed to grind the coal. However, different consistencies of coal may require different amounts of force. To adjust the pressure exerted by the steel springs, mill operators need to shut down the operation.
A US power company engineering specialist decided to try using air springs. The engineer contacted air springs manufacturer Firestone, which supplies air springs to Air Springs Supply.
As a result of the idea, the company developed a special rectangular yoke to attach a Firestone 113-1 air spring to each of the existing steel spring assemblies. Preloaded to 10t of pressure, the steel springs continue to exert 60 to 70%t of the pressure on the rollers, but the Firestone air springs provide an additional 6t of force as needed.
One of the air springs has a levelling valve to regulate all three springs on each pulveriser, applying equal force to all three rollers.
According to Air Springs Supply, air springs are frequently used in Australia for conveyors and conveyor scrapers, an application in which they prevent material buildup, helping keep the belt from drifting off track, preventing erratic loads on the motor, eliminating uneven wear on pulley bearings and damage to return idlers, and minimising belt stretching.
Airstroke air springs come in capacities from a few hundred kilograms to tens of thousands. Air springs have no internal moving parts to break or wear, and are suited for high-repetition tasks.
Additionally, Air Springs Supply claims the flexible air springs’ ability to bend and to tolerate uneven and fluctuating loads also means they are suitable for minerals and energy materials handling tasks.
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