Modern extraction systems in the lignite-fired power plant of Vattenfall NO CHANCE FOR (COAL) DUST BECAUSE OF DELTA BLOWER Coal dust deposits pose a very high explosion risk. This is why the working areas at Vattenfall Europe AG’s lignite-fired power plant in Boxberg are cleaned by permanently installed extraction systems on a regular basis. The necessary negative pressure is generated by an Aerzen positive displacement blower of series Generation 5, which is mounted on a fourwheel trailer. Modern extraction systems in the lignite-fired power plant of Vattenfall.External view of the lignite-fired power station of the Swedish Vattenfall-Group in Boxberg (Oberlausitz), first taken into operation in 1971 and, extended several times since, most recently in 2012. Waldemar Adomßent, Vattenfall, lignite-fired power plant Boxberg: »The vehicles supplied by IB Verfahrens- und Anlagentechnik and provided with Aerzen positive displacement blowers are in use in two shifts from Monday to Friday. We appreciate the easy operation of the units and their high inlet flow with which it is possible to take coal pieces even the size of a lump of sugar« Vacuum cleaning system manufactured by Messrs. IB process technology. A positive displacement blower of Aerzener Maschinenfabrik, located in a sound-insulating housing at the front of the vehicle, produces the necessary negative pressure.The ultra-modern power plant in Boxberg generates electricity and heat and is the second largest plant of the Swedish energy group Vattenfall in Germany which is powered by lignite. Although all conveying units in the coal charging operation have been provided with dedusting systems, coal dust deposits cannot be avoided entirely due to the length of the belts, the high conveying speed and the considerable transportation volume up to 1,600 tons of lignite per hour. The Fire Protection Ordinance stipulates that the layer thickness of these deposits may not exceed three millimetres. Dry cleaning insteadof wet cleaningFor this reason, all units had been carefully cleaned with water on a regular basis until 1990, when cleaning was switched over to dry cleaning. Special independent pip- ing systems to remove the coal dust have been fitted. Mobile dust suction systems supply the necessary negative pressure. Meanwhile, four explosion-proof versions are in use on the premises. The manufacturer, IB Verfahrens- und Anlagentechnik GmbH & Co. KG in Lage, had constructed all of them as road vehicle units, because road traffic regulations must be observed on the premises. The vehicles had been continuously improved over the years with the result that the latest unit operates with only one knock-out vessel. “Since the very beginning of the co-operation with Vattenfall in Boxberg we have been using Delta Blower of Aerzener Maschinenfabrik,” said Dipl.-Ing. Harry Lippmann, Project Manager at IB Verfahrens- und Anlagentechnik, adding : “Aerzen offers reliable packaged units and excellent service”Aerzen PositiveDisplacement BlowerThe units used in Boxberg operate with constant speed and negative pressure of 500 mbar. The new Aerzen unit is started manually via the operating panel. The blower, with a motor rating of 55 kW, is provided with a soft start. The dusty air, which is sucked in, first enters an explosion-proof separation tank via an explosion-proof slide where the coal dust element falls out. A second explosion- proof slide is installed behind the tank. In case the pressure increases unavoidably in the separation tank, both will be closed immediately via an explosion-proof pressure detector which is permanently monitored, so that a flame, should one arise, cannot enter the intake and the discharge pipes. The precleaned air then reaches a zone separation filter. After this, the cleaned air enters the Aerzen blower which is installed in a sound-absorbing housing and then it is discharged into the atmosphere with a dust content of less than 0.01 mg/m3. It is not necessary for these blowers to be explosion-proof as the moveable dust extraction units are only operated outside the building, and for this reason they are not liable to explosion risk. The units used in Boxberg operate with constant speed and negative pressure of 500 mbar. The new Aerzen unit is started manually via the operating panel. The blower, with a motor rating of 55 kW, is provided with a soft start. The dusty air, which is sucked in, first enters an explosion-proof separation tank via an explosion-proof slide where the coal dust element falls out. A second explosion- proof slide is installed behind the tank. In case the pressure increases unavoidably in the separation tank, both will be closed immediately via an explosion-proof pressure detector which is permanently monitored, so that a flame, should one arise, cannot enter the intake and the discharge pipes.The precleaned air then reaches a zone separation filter. After this, the cleaned air enters the Aerzen blower which is installed in a sound-absorbing housing and then it is discharged into the atmosphere with a dust content of less than 0.01 mg/m3. It is not necessary for these blowers to be explosion-proof as the moveable dust extraction units are only operated outside the building, and for this reason they are not liable to explosion risk.Practical and efficientDust, which accumulates inside the separator in the filter, is discharged via a pneumatic filter dedusting. A small piston compressor in the blower housing supplies the necessary compressed air. It also provides the isolation valves and arranges for the loosening up of the coal dust, that has reached the tank, by the temporary filling of air cushions. The tank volume is thus ideally used. When the maximum filling level is reached, a level probe stops the suction process so that the tank can be emptied via an electrically operated flap on the ground, and the charged coal dust can be sent to the bunker complex again.
Pleasant and Successful Co-operation For the first time in Aerzener Maschinenfabrik’s company history, the engineering for a VMY compressor package has been carried out in Aerzen, within a recently completed and very successful process gas project. Our subsidiary, Aerzen USA, was responsible for the project management, the packaged unit assembly and start-up.A packaged unit, specially designed for the American market, is the oil-injected compressor, type VMY 436 B. This machine differs from the established Aerzen standard in a number of essential respects. The customer, Tesoro, a leading company in the American energy industry, stipulates that components have to originate mainly from American manufacturers.The design process was the result of close team- work between Aerzen USA and the design management unit of the Process Gas Division (PGD). In consultation with possible suppliers, the components were integrated into a 3D model of the entire unit. Installation and a functional test of the packaged unit were carried out by a qualified American packager under the leadership of Aerzen USA and the department PGD.
Spare Parts: Better Take the Original! Aerzen original spare parts are specially designed for the compressors and blowers of Aerzener Maschinenfabrik. Consequently, they provide a high degree of reliability and safety. In addition, Aerzen After Sales Service offers warranty, a large inventory and a quick identification of the correct parts as well as short delivery and response times. In short: Confidence is good – Original is better!
30th Anniversary of Aerzen USA In September, Aerzen USA celebrated its 30th anniversary. Before the start of the official events to mark this anniversary, a “National Sales Meeting” took place. All representatives from environmental engineering, as well as employees of Aerzen Canada and Aerzen Mexico, were invited. Nearly 60 staff members participated in this conference, such that nearly every agent and almost every Federal State in the U.S. had been represented. This underlines the strong market presence and significance of Aerzen USA. During the two-day conference, the product programme of Blower, Hybrid and Turbo had priority. Special attention was also given to a new test bench at Aerzen USA, and a live presentation of a Hybrid and a Turbo package was given.The anniversary events included an “Open House” day, as well as an evening event for employees. Aerzen USA welcomed more than 200 guests to this event, mainly customers and suppliers, but also a number of local business leaders.The culmination of the anniversary events was the first “North American Service Meeting” which took place the following week in the premises of Aerzen USA.
40th Anniversary of Aerzen Machines Limited Aerzen Machines Limited, based in Loughton, Essex, celebrated its 40th anniversary in November. This subsidiary is responsible for the whole of the United Kingdom and Ireland, and is certified as per ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 and checked by UVDB, SAFE Contractor, PICS. The subsidiary has been acknowledged as an ‘Investor in People’.In recent years, the company has invested heavily in personnel, and in organisational and technical matters. Product managers are responsible for the following fields: process gas, biogas and compressed air. In addition, a new grinding and painting machine has been installed and a special test bench has been developed.
Aerzen Andina in New Premises In July, Aerzen subsidiary Aerzen Andina, which was founded in 2007, moved into its new premises near the Andean metropolis of Bogota in Colombia. The availability of more space, and better working conditions, convinced Managing Director Ricardo Castillo to make this move. Eleven employees work at the 650 m2 new premises and they take care of customers from Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela and Colombia in respect of blowers and compressors. Castillo is optimistic, that the additional capacity will be fully utilised within five years. At present, Aerzen Andina is working on comprehensive plans to pro- vide even better support to the key customers in the neighbouring countries
