Problem
RCL Foods operates a small power plant to generate its own electricity, burning sugarcane bagasse that would otherwise be waste material from processing. The hot gas generator produces hot ash, which must be cooled with moisture and transported by conveyor. The moist ash is tough to remove from the conveyor, and the existing belt cleaner was ineffective, forcing operators to run a hose behind the current scraper to wash the belt, wasting water and creating a mess. Company officials wanted to find a more successful cleaner that would help them significantly reduce spillage and eliminate the need for spraying the belt with water.
Solution
Martin technicians recommended a Martin® SQC2S™ Secondary Belt Cleaner to replace the existing blade. The rigid blade is mounted perpendicular to the belt for optimum cleaning, and the rugged construction withstands punishing applications such as high-speed belts and high-tonnage loads. The Martin® SQC2S™ Secondary Belt Cleaner is smaller than most secondary belt cleaners, allowing installation where space is limited. The design can handle belts up to 96 in (2400 mm) and speeds as high as 1500 fpm (7.5 m/s).
Results
Within just 20 minutes of installing the new belt scraper, the plant foreman stated that he could already see a significant difference in cleaning efficiency. Company officials are happy with the installation and confident that the solution will solve the carryback problem. No additional belt washing is necessary, eliminating the wasted water and mess from the previous setup. Maintenance personnel no longer have to spend cleanup time dealing with the carryback and wastewater, allowing them to focus their efforts on more productive activities.
