Development and Testing of a Novel Mechanical Device for Dewatering Peat. Quarterly Technical Progress Report, July 1-September 30, 1985

摘要

In Phase I, a bench-scale IRC press was designed fabricated, and tested. The results obtained from the testing of the bench-scale IRC press (3 inch-diameter outer roll and 2 inch-diameter inner roll) demonstrated that the IRC press can dewater the peat to less than 50 wt % moisture. Approval to begin Phase II of the program was received in July 1984. In Phase II, a prototype IRC press (3 foot-diameter outer roll and 2 foot-diameter inner roll) was designed and constructed at the AMI facilities in Franklin, Pennsylvania. The IRC press was delivered to IGT in mid-February 1985. After installation of the press was completed, systematic testing of the press was initiated. During testing of the press, it was discovered that forces being applied by the hydraulic cylinders were not sufficient to dewater the peat to the desired moisture content. A revised hydraulic cylinder assembly was designed, fabricated, and installed on the IRC. New, more powerful, larger diameter hydraulic cylinders were also installed. During preliminary scoping tests using the larger diameter cylinders, Minnesota reed sedge peat initially containing 83.7% moisture was dewatered to 51.5% moisture content at a hydraulic cylinder pressure of 2500 psig. Also, during the preliminary scoping tests, bearings at the shaft pivot arm failed. The failures were attributed to lateral movements in the inner roll supporting arms. New spherical roller radial bearings that have a load rating three times higher than the original bearings were installed on the frame at the pivot arm. Testing of the IRC press will continue at IGT to determine the effects of operating conditions on the throughput and the moisture content of the dewatered peat. 1 fig. (ERA citation 12:000058)