Newsletter:  March 16, 2010 

Table of Contents:
-Gearbox Service Tip
-Dip Pipes
-Specials:-New 12,500 Vertical Glasslined Tanks
-Reglassed 4000 Gallon Baffles

Technical Service Tip

      Proper gearbox maintenance is key to a long life of your unit. The normal service interval should be 2500 hours or 6 months in most units. As seen in the picture (right) this unit has been properly maintained, has a good wear pattern, and hasn’t been overheated. Excessive heat or improper lubrication will cause pitting in the teeth. Routine maintenance is important as it removes the old oil that may no longer provide proper lubrication.

Gearbox oil is much like the oil in your vehicle over time and heat cycles it loses its ability to protect the internal parts due to viscosity breakdown. Unlike your vehicle the gearbox doesn’t have a filter to catch the debris so the used oil will have some metal shavings and debris in it. Don’t be too alarmed to see some metal in the used oil. The key is to change the oil a scheduled intervals before it breaks down.

 

 

Glasslined Dip Pipe

Southern Glasslined can custom fabricate glasslined dip pipes for vessels through 5000 gallons with a delivery of 3 weeks or less. All dip pipes are spark tested at 15,000 volts. The glass thickness is recorded on the inspection form.

Other than an occasional cleaning glasslined dip pipes require little maintenance. Dip pipes can be easily installed through a top head nozzle. They are typically double flanged to bolt to the vessel nozzle and mating pipe.

Dip Pipes are used for: 

            ·    Introducing gas or liquids

        ·    Obtaining samples

Dip Pipe Design:

        ·   The upper flange is for connecting external piping

        ·    The lower flange is to place the dip pipe on the vessel nozzle

       ·     Inside diameter from 1 ½” to 4”

    ·      Outside diameter from 2” to 6”

          ·         Our production line can fabricate dip pipes for reactors up to 1000 gallons

Dip Pipe Photos 

The oil level and type is very critical to the life of the unit. There are many different types of site glasses on the market that may or may not allow you to accurately maintain the proper oil level. The "L" shaped sight glass below is best to allow proper level monitoring. The level indicated on the sight glass is very important. unmarked sight glasses should be marked an inch up the vertical section of the glass. The key is to make sure the oil is at a level slightly above the centerline of the gearbox. That oil level will insure that the gears are submerged under oil which will greatly reduce heat and friction on the gears which result in a longer life. The recommended oil is important as well.  It MUST NOT be an EP (extreme pressure) lubricant! As seen in the picture (left) this brass gear has pitting in the teeth which can indicate an EP additive in the oil used. You can see the degradation of the area over and under the teeth where the gear has been attacked. As opposed to the picture above where the brass gear is neither pitted nor attacked and has a proper wear pattern.   It should have a VI (viscosity index) of 90 minimum. An example of an approved lubricant is AGMA #8 Chevron ISO 680 or AGMA #8A Chevron ISO 1000.

 

If you have any questions regarding your drive, would like to schedule to have a technician come to your plant for maintenance, have questions about our dip pipes or would like to purchase one please feel free to contact us at any time.

For additional information on lubrication for drive systems on glasslined vessels please call or email us at info@southernglass.com.

EQUIPMENT SPECIALS

  • 12,000 Gallon Storage Vessels   
  Built in 2008 these two 12000 gallon storage vessels have an internal pressure rating of 87 FV psi @ 350F and an average glass thickness of 70 mils. Both vessels are unused and have minimal damage. Repairs will be warranted for 12 months.  Detailed inspection reports are available for each vessel. UNits are available for immediate delivery.

 

  • Reglassed 4,000 Gallon Fin Baffles

 a.       Shaft Diameter:              5”

 b.       Length:                         142”

 c.       Hole for RTD Sensor:        5/8”-18 UNF

 d.       Condition:                      Reglassed

 e.       Spark Test:                   15,000 Volts

 

 

Phone: (706) 454-1701 | Fax: (706) 454-1705 | Email: info@southernglass.com