Process is all
May 1st 2008 Service engineers from lubrication
specialist ROCOL are helping a
subsidiary of the Scottish Power
Group optimise its maintenance
regime at a plant dedicated to
producing an innovative renewable
fuel. Glasgow based SMW
produces waste-derived fuel from
sewage sludge which generates
electricity at Longannet power
station on the banks of the Firth of
Forth. The company's processes
create fuel pellets which are
burned to contribute 90,000 MWh
of electricity to the national grid
every year, reducing coal
consumption.
Machinery at SMW's plant is
subject to conditions of heat, wear
and moisture, so an effective
maintenance programme is vital to
minimise the risks of premature
equipment failure and ensure
production downtime is minimised.
The company teamed-up with
ROCOL three years ago and the
combination of SMW's process
knowledge and ROCOL's
lubrication expertise has delivered
excellent results.
"ROCOL service engineers have
made an extremely positive
contribution to improving the
efficiency of our operations," says
Iain Russell, senior maintenance
engineer. "As part of our
continuous improvement
programme, they have helped us
enhance a number of processes
which have delivered both practical
benefits to the maintenance team
and optimum equipment
performance."
ROCOL helped SMW overcome
an issue with lubricating bearings
for RTOs (Regenerative Thermal
Oxidisers) which 'clean' the
odorous gases generated during
the drying process. The solution
meant SMW no longer had to shut
down the process in order to
conduct routine lubrication, saving
on downtime. Another process
improvement involved simplifying
the pipework from the auto
lubrication system to drying drum
rollers. More articles from ROCOL Site Safety Systems: | 
