Temperature Monitoring System For Roller Bearings
In a wood pellets factory, the consumption of pellet mill roller bearings is quite a big cost. Due to the high pressure, high temperature, high humidity and dusty working environment, roller bearings life span is normally considered to be short because of the following main reasons:
- Normal worn out since of long period running;
- Cracking caused by long time running without or lack of effective lubrication;
- Accidental Cracking caused by Pelletizer overload or blockage.
Roller bearings are lubricated by grease. Dropping point of the grease is normally between 200℃~300℃. If environment temperature inside rollers is higher than dropping point, then the grease will start to be thinning and become liquid. Finally the grease will lose lubrication function very fast. Due to lack of lubrication, if the bearings are still running, the temperature of bearings will increase very fast and finally crack. Sudden bearing cracking may cause the cracking of roller shells, damage on the ring dies, and rotation of main shaft, etc. The chain effect will damage the pellet mill itself.
According to our research, before the final cracking of roller bearings and normal worn out, the bearings temperature will be very high and increase very fast. But pellet mill operators will not know the temperature rapidly increase until the sudden noise caused by bearing cracking or automatic shut down of pellet machine. The bearings or roller shells are already broken. So it’s already too late.
Roller bearings temperature is very important data for pellet mill operators. After SIMEC engineering team’s long term R&D, we have completed new design innovation called Roller Bearings Temperature Monitoring System. The system consists of Bearing Temperature Detecting Device, Temperature Data Transmitter, Wireless Signal Receiving End, PLC system, etc.
SPM520 Pelletizer Delivered to Indonesia
Bearing Temperature Detecting Device
Our new system have the following functions to increase the life span of roller bearings and shells.
- Real-time monitoring of roller bearing temperature. The data can be displayed to pellet mill operator directly or be transmitted to PLC system. With the help of SIMEC Automation Program, the running conditions of pellet mill can be adjusted to avoid the continuous temperature rise and cracking of roller bearings and rollers.
- When the temperature is over the safety range, the system can give Audible and Visual Alarm to operator, inject more grease automatically or stop the screw feeder for raw material automatically, then wait for a while until the roller bearings temperature dropping down.
- If the temperature is still not in safety range, our system will remind the operator earlier to fill sawdust mixed with waste oil to replace green sawdust inside ring die holes. Then stop the pelletizer for downtime inspection.
- SIMEC innovation system is the integration of precise hardware and technical software. There’s enough time to adjust the machine to avoid the fast worn out and cracking of roller bearings. Our technology will increase the life span of roller bearings, roller shells and avoid further damage on ring dies and main shaft.
Temperature Data Transmitter
Wireless Signal Receiving End
As far, we have installed the monitoring system on 36 sets of wood pellet mills. According to the feedback from clients, the consumption costs on roller bearings and roller shells have been reduced by 40%~45%, with the help of roller bearing temperature monitoring system.
We hope SIMEC technology will benefit more clients in the future.