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Mechanical Technology — August 2013
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Products and services
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SKF has launched a new sensor bear-
ing with improved protection against
power surges. The new bearing is typi-
cally used in electric motors. It has an
in-line electromagnetic compatibility
(EMC) filter that protects the sensitive
sensor bearing electronics from electri-
cal stress.
SolidFlow from SWR Engineering is a
sensor especially developed for measur-
ing the flow rate of solids conveyed in
metallic ducts. It has successfully been
tested for online-measurement of all
types of dust; powder and granulates;
pneumatically conveyed materi-
als; or materials in free fall after
mechanical conveying
applications. The
system is suit-
able for mea-
suring materi-
Konecranes’ CXT Biomass is a fully auto-
mated crane for feeding different kinds of
biomass into the boilers of renewable en-
ergy power plants. The crane’s optimised
biomass software enables power plants to
be efficiently operated 24/7.
A major advantage of the CXT Biomass
crane is that it’s more compact than a
traditional loader/conveyor-based solution,
which increases the fuel storage capacity
of a plant. The crane is also quieter than
conveyor-based solutions and reduces dust
and fuel emissions.
The crane is equipped with a range of
smart features such as slack rope preven-
tion, which prevents the grab from tilting
and hoist ropes from slacking. Sway
control is a handy feature that dramati-
cally reduces the average work cycle time
by keeping the load stable and on its
intended path. Another smart function
that increases productivity is the extended
speed range feature (ESR) that allows the
hoist to run at a higher-than-nominal rated
hoisting speed with an empty grab, which
significantly reduces cycle times.
“Soon, the CXT Biomass crane will be
available in South Africa. Konecranes has
a very long, strong history with special
cranes for diverse industry segments,
including renewable energy, such as WTE
and Biomass. We have strong products
with a long life span. We did a lot of
research on this CXT Biomass crane, and
we’re very optimistic about the biomass
crane market in South Africa as a whole,”
says John MacDonald, service, sales and
marketing manager for Konecranes South
Africa.
IR technology simplifies
hydrocarbon gas
detection
Industrial oper-
ations in Africa
can detect and
monitor hydro-
carbon gas concentra-
tions more effectively by
adopting the Ultima OPIR-5 open
path IR gas detector, which is avail-
able in the local market through
MSA, a global leader in the devel-
opment, manufacture and supply of
sophisticated products that protect
people’s health and safety.
The Ultima OPIR-5 detector pro-
vides for the continuous monitoring
of combustible hydrocarbon gas
concentrations. “Infrared absorp-
tion detects hydrocarbon gases
over an open path, and the single
detection beam improves accuracy
and reduces drift,” says MSA Africa
marketing manager for gas detection
products, Robbie Taitz.
The system consists of an IR
source and receiver, which moni-
tors for methane, with the option
of monitoring for propane too.
“The sensitivity of the MSA Ultima
OPIR-5 detector can be checked by
placing a test gas film in front of the
receiver, while the dual detection
range provides the sensitivity to pick
up both small and large gas leaks,”
he concludes.
Biomass crane for renewable energy power plants
Bearing with EMC filter protects against power surge
“When you compare the nominal
lifetime of a bearing element with
the nominal lifetime of that bearing’s
electronic sensors, you will find that
the electronic component life usually
exceeds the mechanical element life
by far. But often, the reality looks quite
different, as the electronic component in
the industrial environment faces electri-
cal overloading such as power surges
The new SKF sensor
bearing with EMC
filter.
and electric discharges. The EMC filter,
when applied in-line with the cable,
improves sensor bearing reliability,
reduces downtime and decreases main-
tenance costs,” says Olivier Message,
SKF director of sensor bearings.
In several difficult applications, such
as fork-lifts operating in sugar factories
or on insulated floors, a very strong elec-
trostatic charge build-up can occur on
the fork-lift frame, which can discharge
abruptly when in proximity to steel ware-
house racks. The discharge spark can
have a damaging effect on electronics.
The resulting discharge spark may not
have a direct impact on sensors or the
control unit, but the change in voltage
can have a ‘rebound’ effect creating
voltage surges in the lines. These volt-
age surges can result in electrical fast
transients (EFTs) ranging from 100 to
4 000 V, which can cause a temporary
disruption to the electricity supply or
damage the controller or sensors.
SKF analysed this phenomenon as it
relates to sensor bearings, and was able
to develop an in-line filter to protect the
Hall sensor and other electronics used
in its bearings.
Measuring the flow rate of solid particles
als with grain sizes of between 1,0 nm
and 1,0 cm.
SolidFlow is wear-resistant and
commissioning is easy. The sensor oper-
ates according to the latest microwave
technology and is exclusively used in
metallic ducts. The microwave energy
is reflected by the solid particles and re-
ceived by the sensor. These signals are
evaluated in frequency and amplitude.
The frequency-selective analysis
ensures that only streaming particles
are measured. The calibration of the
sensor takes place in the installed state,
simply by pushing a button and enter-
ing the reference quantity. The process
outputs are 4 to 20 mA, Modbus and
a pulse output for flow totalisation.
ATEX-certified, the flow meter is easily
retrofitted using a welding socket.
SWR Engineering is represented lo-
cally by OEN Enterprises.
