In this month’s Troubleshooting Challenge, we go into the extreme environment of a steel producer, which had modified an electric arc furnace to include a retracting hood that covered the conveyor. This conveyor feeds scrap metal into the melt pot. The conveyor would occasionally jam and/or require service.
A pair of hydraulic cylinders were installed on the covering hood to allow for maintenance. The cylinders needed to extend and retract together simultaneously, as they were mounted on opposite sides of the hood. The entire area around the furnace and hood was hot. Redundant directional control valves were also installed in the event of emergencies. A manual operated valve or a solenoid operated valve stand could be operated to move the cylinders. The valves were mounted 30 ft from the cylinders to keep them away from the heat. A spool-type flow divider was mounted close to the cylinders to keep the movements synchronized.
After a long shut-down, the cylinders began to bind and would not move in sync. They replaced the flow divider, but the hood continued to bind with either the manual or solenoid operated valve.
Can you identify what was the problem? We welcome responses of all kinds directly to Robert Sheaf at rjsheaf@cfc-solar.com or to mgannon@wtwhmedia.com. The solution to our October 2024 Troubleshooting Challenge will be provided in mid-November.
You can also try your hand at previous Troubleshooting Challenge columns here.
Filed Under: Components Oil Coolers, Cylinders & Actuators, Technologies, Trending
