ELECTRO-HYDRAULIC ASSIST DRIVES FOR SUGAR MILLS

摘要

The application of the electro-hydraulic assist drive on a feed roll, also called the cane roll drive, is now the most common way to modernise the transmission of cane milling units. This paper describes the electro-hydraulic assist drives, their history, operation, advantages and qualitative and quantitative results based on data reported by users, such as La Union Sugar Mill in Guatemala, Taboga Sugar Mill in Costa Rica, and El Potrero in Mexico, as well as on the author's personal experience, ever since the first installation in the world. The use of electro-hydraulic assist drives allows for gradual modernisation of conventional mill transmissions. The possibility of increasing the power transmitted to the existing mills makes it possible to continue using the conventional transmissions without the need to reinforce them. The incorporation of additional power into the mill through the use of electro-hydraulic drives is also a more economical option than that of modifying the conventional transmissions. All the users report an increase in milling capacity, larger extraction rates and a reduction in bagasse moisture content and pol in bagasse.