Continuous operation in waste bunkers

Energy chains and cables in harsh environments

Austrians generate around 3.5 million tons of waste per year. Nowadays, the waste is usually disposed of in thermal recycling plants, in whose furnaces temperatures of 1200 degrees Celsius prevail in order to recycle the waste as completely as possible. A sensitive system wherein plant failures would have enormous financial consequences. A scenario that Richard Krassnitzer, in charge of maintenance of the cranes at the Simmering special waste recycling plant, does not even want to conjure up in his mind. He therefore tries to play it safe as far as possible to avoid failures. Today, roller energy chains from igus are therefore used in the plant.
 

"The igus energy chains have never let me down. Three years after commissioning, the umbilical cord of the waste bunker crane still appears as good as new. Apart from the thick layer of dust, of course."
 
Richard Krassnitzer, in charge of crane maintenance at Fernwärme Wien

Before, After: The operator is thrilled with the difference.

"With the trailing cables, we were always struggling with failures. A lot of commands were transmitted over copper wires, and the border points were particularly vulnerable. We often had to tighten something somewhere and make sure that the individual clamps or wires were tight again. We always had 1000 metres of different cables stored to mend any breaks. During the repair work itself, we had to take regular breaks to load the furnace in between," recalls Krassnitzer of the time before he became acquainted with the igus system. Initial scepticism then very quickly turned into enthusiasm for the energy chain system from Cologne: "The igus energy chains have never let me down. Three years after its commissioning, the umbilical cord of the waste bunker crane still appears as good as new. Apart from the thick layer of dust, of course." And for Simmering's reserve chain, it's still 'please wait' - no emergency having occurred so far. If the forecasts of igus product manager Theo Diehl are anything to go by, this will not happen for years to come. This is because wear and tear is not a feature of energy supply systems from igus. A fact that Bernhard Bogner from AVN also appreciates. Although it has a maintenance dome for the waste bunker cranes, there is only one possible time for checking the longitudinally travelling chain each year: "Our main inspection. " Then there is a short break in waste delivery and incineration at MVA Dürnrohr.