Diseño y construcción de un sistema de alimentación de biomasa mediante control electro-mecánico para el abastecimiento del hogar de una caldera pirotubular horizontal de 300 BHP

Abstract

The objective of this work is to reduce the occupational risks that exist towards the operators during the direct feeding process of solid fuel (biomass) towards the hearth of a horizontal firetube boiler of 300 BHP in Terratécnica S.A. located in Valencia, Los Ríos province. The analysis was done about the danger that the workers are exposed and considering the factors that intervene in the process, it is considered that temperature is the strongest influencer with 70 % in all of the causes of some type of disease to the operators, therefore, it was chosen from the transport systems an endless screw together with a hopper to supply the boiler. The elements necessary for the implementation of the new system were designed and calculated, for instance the support structure, hopper, worm gear, transmission ratio and the control due to the fact that the machine has a gear motor assembly. With the respective design drawings and calculations, the construction of this electro mechanical device was carried out. Having as main materials black tol sheets, square and round tubes, as well as the necessary machinery such as cutters and welders. After the implementation of the machine, it is possible to reduce the exposure faced by the workers, in addition to the reduction of the boiler supply time by 65 % and by 50 % of the personnel required to complete the task.