MechChem Africa May-June 2020

⎪ Products and industry news ⎪

Skid-mounted dry-type transformer does duty on coal mine

In a specialised application on a coal mine, Trafo Power Solutions recently supplied a dry-type transformer mounted on a mobile skid. “We specially designed a fit-for-pur - pose solution for theharshenvironment of the coal mine,” says David Claassen, man - aging director at Trafo Power Solutions. “The cast-resin dry-type transformer is ideal for the mobile arrangement as it is cooled without oil,” he explains. The ab - sence of oil makes it a safer option against fire hazards, especially on a coal mine. It is also more environmentally-friendly, as there is no chance of an oil spill. The 1250kVAdual-MVconfiguration supplied to thismine allows the unit to be linked up to either 11 kV or 6,6 kV supply. “The unit was designed for a compact enclosure, while allowing for sufficient air movement for cooling,”Claassensays. “We provided a unique solution of a cast-resin transformerwithClassH insulation rating for both the medium voltage and the low voltage windings.” A significant but often forgotten tool for getting the longest, most effective performance out of wastewater treat - ment equipment is good lubrication. Lubrication is especially significant in wastewater disposal systems, where lu - bricants are constantly stressed, diluted or destroyed by sand, dirt, acids, extreme temperatures and the dynamics of the chemical processes involved in treating water. A selection of quality lubricants is the key to reducing energy consumption, prolonging equipment life, and reducing associated costs. Callum Ford, national marketing man - ager at Lubrication Engineers (LE) South Africa, says that the primary job of a lubricant is to overcome friction. “We adviseourwastewater treatment custom - ers to use the lightest possible lubricant consistent with their desired applica - tion,” he says. The best lubrication and least amount of friction will come from the thinnest lubricant that still has suf - ficient film strength to carry the required mechanical load. Electric motors, gear reducers, chain drives, pumps, air compressors and en - gines are some of the key pieces of equip - ment at a plant that need carefully man - aged lubrication. Basic products needed in awastewater treatment plant are electric motor grease, toughmultipurpose grease,

Fully enclosed mini-sub including cast resin transformer. This insulation standard ensures that the transformer can withstand tempera - tures of up to 180°C. He notes that the enclosure design had to accommodate these heat factors while also preventing the ingress of dust or water. Special engineeringwas also applied to building a high level of mechanical rigidity intothetransformeritself,asdemandedby the regular relocation of the mobile skid. This movement means considering that

vibration and other forces must be borne by the equipment without affecting its performance. Claassen emphasises that TrafoPower Solutions is experienced in providing dry- type transformers in a range of enclosed formats to suit customers’ needs. The inherent safety of these transformers also allows themtobe installed inunderground mining locations. www.trafo.co.za

Essential lubrication for wastewater treatment plants EPgearoil,R&Oturbineoilsandengineoil. There may be more than one viscosity of gear oil required, as well as two grades of turbine grade industrial oil and lighter or heavier grades of other products.

Importantly, inaprice-sensitivemarket like South Africa, some products can be used in multiple applications at a plant. Cross recommendations can be made, such as using gear oils for oil-lubricated electric motors and some turbine oils for gears. Turbine oils are also often used in most other-oiled points. Ford says that working closelywith a lubrication partner is key tofinding a balancebetweenperfor - mance and budget requirements. www.lubricationengineers.co.za A major supplier of nitrogen generators has selected Michell’s XTP601 oxygen analyzer to ensure N 2 quality as part of its engineered systems for the oil and gas industry in the middle east. The containerised or skid-mounted nitro - gen generating systems have to withstand the large variations in ambient temperatures found in deserts and tropical areas which range from below freezing to over 55 °C. In addition to thewide temperature differences, the systems also have to cope with the harsh,

Cross recommendations can be made where oil products are used in multiple applications, such as using gear oils for oil- lubricated electric motors and some turbine oils for gears. Oxygen analyser ensures quality of N 2 for oil and gas

corrosive environments found in coastal and offshore installations. MichellInstruments,locallyrepresentedby Instrotech, offered the XTP601 oxygen ana - lyzer for the application because of its unique design with no moving parts or consumables, enabling the instrument to operate reliably and efficiently in harsh conditions. Its compact size and integratedHMImakes it easy to install into the N 2 generator and simple for operators to interrogate once in use. sales@instrotech.co.za

May-June 2020 • MechChem Africa ¦ 37