Cryogenic Processing Proves to be Excellent Investment for Power Generation Plant

Click here for more information on Johnson Packings' cryogenic processing services.

At the beginning of the year 2000, American Ref-Fuel Company of Semass, L.P., a waste-to-energy plant in Rochester, Massachusetts, decided to have some quench tank sprockets cryogenically processed. These parts are located at the head and tail ends of a conveyor that carries the ash that is a byproduct of the burning process. At that time, Ref-Fuel’s Semass plant was having to replace the sprockets after about six months of use. They hoped that cryo processing would significantly increase the service life of the sprockets.

Now, more than two years later, those original cryogenically processed sprockets are still going strong. At this point, their life span has already increased by approximately 250%. The staff at this plant, one of several Ref-Fuel locations, is so pleased that they have had two more sprocket sets treated with the process. Joe Keenan, Mechanical Maintenance Supervisor, says, “Cryo processing has generated savings on both labor and sprocket replacement costs for us. We estimate that, in the two years since we began having our sprockets treated, we have saved about $17,000. This treatment has proved to be a very cost-effective investment.”

We at Johnson Packings would be happy to help your company realize significant savings with cryo processing, too. Call us to discuss your proposed application.

If this article has piqued your interest, mention it and receive a 10% discount on your next cryogenic processing order.

Design•Fab, Inc. has been designing and fabricating quality industrial flue duct expansion joints and flow control dampers for 20 years. These quality products are now available from Johnson Packings.

Design•Fab’s dampers have a “zero-leakage” design, which means that, with their blades closed and their air seal system activated, they create a “man-safe” environment downstream in the ducting system. The Louver Damper shown at far right is designed to modulate the gas flow in the thermal oxidizer of a hot water system. This opposed blade damper has a leakage rated flow of only 3% and can be used at temperatures of up to 1,275° F.

DFI-6000 Series Expansion Joints are Design•Fab’s answer for applications where easy joint installation and belt removal or replacement are important. Installation of these high-temperature expansion joints is a simple procedure. Their formed flanges are factory-punched, so the installation crew has only to align these holes with those of the companion flanges and bolt up. The nuts and bolts are readily accessible for quick final tightening. The belt is held by nuts and bolts that are set up and away from any system components that could interfere with wrench maneuverability.

Johnson Packings and Design•Fab are ready to meet all your damper and expansion joint needs. Contact your sales rep to discuss your application.

Design•Fab's DFI-6000 Series Expansion Joints allow for easy belt replacement.

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Garlock's CEFIL'AIR Seals Expand and Contract to Provide Secure Fit

HP (high-pressure) LP (low-pressure) Groove mount (L) or Foot mount (R)

CEFIL’AIR Pneumatic Seals are the most effective way to provide a secure, reliable seal between surfaces which move in relation to one another. Their patented design and the advanced elastomers from which they are constructed make them ideal for a wide range of sealing, handling, and holding applications.

CEFIL’AIR Seals are either molded or manufactured from extruded profiles that are joined by a molded joint. This type of joint provides a high degree of flexibility and ensures uniform wall thickness, while restricting stress at the joint. These seals are designed to be fitted into grooves, and they maintain the seal by expanding and contracting with the pressurization and deflation of the gasket within the groove.

Garlock offers two standard profiles, the HP (high pressure) and LP (low pressure), diagrams above. Other profiles are also available.

With the ability to withstand temperatures from -148°F (-100°C) to +482°F (+250°C), CEFIL’AIR Seals are reliable at pressures from 7 to 150 psi (0.5 to 10.4 bar) in a variety of liquid or gaseous media. They are successfully used throughout many industries, including aerospace, pulp/paper, pharmaceutical, chemical processing, medical, transportation, food processing, and marine.

Contact Johnson Packings for assistance in determining the exact groove and gap dimensions critical to your application.

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On July 8, 2002, we welcomed Paul O’Melia as the new Controller at Johnson Packings. Before joining us, Paul was with Windsor-Stevens, Inc., a specialty paper manufacturer in Poquonock, Connecticut, for 17 years. His financial background, coupled with his experience in the paper industry, will be an asset to our organization. We are sure Paul will contribute a great deal to Johnson Packings. Paul lives in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, with his wife, Nancy, and daughters Kelly and Jill.

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