EoW July 2012

News Corporate

New cable drying systems improve efficiency and maintenance

The new blower-powered ‘LINE-Dry’ system from Air Control Industries has been installed at the Prysmian Group’s Aberdare facility, offering enhanced drying yet lower operating costs. Additionally the system offers greater production efficiency, reduced maintenance and the elimination of health and safety hazards. Previously, compressed air based systems were used at the Aberdare facility but these were failing to remove the excess carry-over water adhering to the wire after leaving the cooling troughs. This resulted in slippage causing the length/speed monitoring encoder to give incorrect readings that impacted upon line speeds, and water dripping/ spraying on the line and surrounding equipment. The random water dispersal had the effect of causing corrosion, increasing maintenance requirements and shortening equipment life. Water droplets on cables also interfered with quality control procedures. Laser equipment designed to detect cable imperfections could be ‘fooled’ by droplets to undermine production goals. Another result of the water carry-over was water dripping on the ground around the tensioning sheave to form puddles and creating potential health and safety issues, such as personnel slipping. With these issues in mind, project engineer Sam Donnelly sought a means of eradicating them. He approached ACI about the LINE-Dry and the company agreed to loan a machine on a free six-month trial. That machine was installed in July 2011 and it proved to be very successful resulting in the purchase of a further two systems, which were installed in March 2012. “The ACI LINE-Dry proved its ability to meet all our needs, as shown by the fact we have installed two more units,” said Sam Donnelly. “It dries cables up to 35mm efficiently at speeds up to 400m/ min and has eliminated all the problems associated with water carry-over helping to reduce running and maintenance costs.”

▲ ▲ The LINE-Dry system from Air Control Industries

On both sides of the plenums are rubber baffles that serve to entrap the removed water to be ducted away from the underside of the enclosure. To ensure maximum drying efficiency the gap between the drying heads can be adjusted manually to suit different products whilst viewed through a hinged inspection hatch. The blower enclosure houses an ACI Multi-Stage unit controlled complete with a speed controller to give flexibility to adjust air delivery to accommodate different products and line speeds. Air is delivered at up to 2.8psi (80in SWG) at speeds of 8,800m/min (28,900ft/min) at 80°C. Prysmian – UK Website : www.prysmian.co.uk

Since the installation of the first LINE-Dry operating cost figures show that the ACI blower-powered unit has lower running costs than the previous compressed air system. In addition, cable drying is more efficient because the air is from a dedicated source whereas previously variations of load-demand upon the compressed air compressor impacted upon both the drying line and packing operations. ACI’s LINE-Dry comprises a drying station and a free-standing blower housed in an ABS enclosure. The drying function is performed inside an enclosure housing adjustable, spring-loaded opposing plenums.

Two die in plant fire Two Evonik employees died after a blaze at the company’s CDT plant on the grounds of the Marl Chemicals Park on Saturday, 31 st March. Evonik has been supporting the authorities investigating the cause of the fire and has held its own examination through an independent expert. A spokesman for the company said: “We are deeply sorry that two members of our workforce lost their lives in the blaze.” Evonik Industries – Germany Website : www.evonik.com

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EuroWire – July 2012