Utility

Customer
Utility Company

Application
Transformer “Cans”

Background
This customer is a state-owned public utility. They phoned BE after signing an agreement with a custom machine builder that “dumped” him. This client needed to wash, rinse and dry transformer “cans” in large quantities for re-manufacture. They were steam cleaning which was labor intensive and caused various environmental hazards.

Problem
These transformer “cans” must be cleaned inside and out of heavy oils (almost tar-like) in preparation for a painting process. This tar-like substance is extremely difficult to remove from the inside of the can and from the interior bottom seal. At first, this client was considering a conveyor washer with robotic manifolds to raise and lower into “cans”. The largest problem with this process was the inability to produce the 200 “cans” per day , the minimal requirement. Reliance on unproven technology and maintenance costs were also major draw backs of this type of system. Tests at Better Engineering showed that a conventional spray washer could not clean the interior of the “cans”.

Solution
Engineer a turntable that in essence is a rotating spray manifold with five (5) “drum” nozzles that go up inside the transformer “cans”. The parts are sprayed inside and outside while the turntable is rotating . A nine (9) minute wash/rinse/dry cycle produces meticulously clean parts...the drum nozzles can be quick disconnected so other types of parts can be cleaned. (i.e., transformer insulators)

System
A Stainless Steel F-6000 LX-P-ZX with recirculated rinse cycle and regenerative air blow down with heat. Several options were also included such as: PLC Control with touch screen, conductivity meter, end-of-cycle beacon light, and a Detergent Injection System.

3/19/97