Powerful solution to wear
October 1st 2010

To provide protection against wear in its stainless steel boiler feed chutes and wet ash mixing paddles, Edenderry Power has recently switched to ceramic polymer composites from Loctite

Large scale independent power producer, Edenderry Power, is located 60 kilometres west of Dublin and close to the centre of the peat producing midlands region. It has been in operation since 2000, and produces 120MW of electricity – about 3% of Ireland's national requirement.

The Loctite Nordbak 7226 and 7227 ceramic polymer composites are part of a range of two-part epoxy based materials, reinforced with steel, aluminium, ceramic or silicon carbide fillers. They are generally available in both trowelable and brushable formulas, although there is also a Loctite product available as a kneadable stick.

In addition, there are putties and pastes that are used to protect surfaces against particle abrasion and chemical attack.

John Moran, the plant's mechanical engineer, explains the reason for the switch to these products: "Previously, we used welding overlay to combat the problems associated with the high flow of peat and particle erosion, but there was an ongoing difficulty with wear issues and the subsequent associated costs when we had to shut down part of the capacity. Following a demonstration by the local Henkel sales engineer we decided to try the polymer composite option."

As well as peat, the surfaces of the chutes have to contend with wood biomass, sand, ash and lime. Moran continues: "The conditions under which these chutes operate include low impact, high volumes, sliding action and temperatures of up to 800°C. For the wet ash mixer, there is also low impact, but extremely abrasive particles." Loctite Nordbak 7226 is a trowelable epoxy that can be used for rebuilding, repairing and protecting pump housings, chutes, elbows, cyclones and other equipment where fine particle wear is experienced.

Loctite Nordbak 7227 is a grey, ultrasmooth ceramic reinforced epoxy that gives a high gloss, low friction coating to provide protection against turbulence, abrasion and cavitations. It also works as a top coat over Nordbak Backing Compounds where applications require surface rebuilding and lasting protection.

Moran concludes: "These products are not only easy to apply, but also they have now provided us with longer running time between servicing. The parts have completed 12 months of service, and the results, so far, are very good."

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