Blowers

Field Operator Certification

Blowers
 Blowers

Lesson Objectives
1. State the purpose for Blowers
2. Name the main components of Blowers
3. Explain the principle of operation of a Blower
4. State applications for Blowers in your cement plant
5. Describe the running & static inspection process for
Blowers
6. Describe the troubleshooting process for common Blower
problems
7. State the safety concerns related to Blowers
8. Perform a running & static inspection on a Blower (OJT)

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 Blowers

Objective 1 - Purpose
 To provide clean
oil-free air flow at
relatively high
pressures

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 Blowers

Objective 2 - Components
 Drive
 Blower Lobes
 Casing
 Inlet Filter / Silencer
 Inlet Port
 Exhaust Port
 Timing Gears
 Shaft Support Bearings
 Oil Bath Reservoir
 Relief Valve

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 Blowers

Objective 3 – Principle of Operation

 2 specially designed impellers
turn in opposite directions in
machined housing – transfers
constant volume of air / gas
from inlet to discharge with
every rotation of Blower drive
shaft
 No lubrication within cylinder is
required - rotating components
in close tolerance but don’t
make contact
 Impeller positioning is
maintained by precision timing
gears affixed to each impeller
shaft
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 Blowers

Operation (cont’d)
 Gear & bearing lubrication
occurs externally to cylinder-
clean, oil-free gas delivery
 Compression occurs after gas
leaves Blower & encounters
system resistance
 Blower has relief valve to
protect from high operating
pressures
 Relief valves can also used to
control amount of air flow to
downstream equipment

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 Blowers

Objective 4 - Applications
 Swirl, Axial air for burner flame control
 Fluidizing air for air slides, aeration pads
 Pneumatic transport air – FK pumps, Coal firing
systems

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 Blowers

Objective 5 - Inspections
 Running Inspection…

 Static Inspection…

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 Blowers

Objective 6 - Troubleshooting
 Loss of airflow capacity

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 Blowers

Objective 7 - Safety
 Always lock out Blower prior to performing any
service
 Casing temps may be extremely hot
 Blowers controlled automatically - can start/stop at
any time
 Keep work area clear of grease, oil, water, etc that
could cause a slip or a fall
 Keep clothing, fingers, hair, etc. away from drive
components & Blower inlet

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 Blowers

Safety (cont’d)
 Inspect all guards for damage & support integrity
regularly
 Do not operate Blower with open inlet or outlet port
 Don’t exceed specified vacuum/pressure limitations
 Don’t operate above/below recommended speed
range
 Don’t use where non-sparking equipment is specified
 Don’t operate without belt guard/coupling shield

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 Blowers

Safety (cont’d)
 Prolonged exposure may require ear protection
 WARNING Don’t exceed sheave or coupling
manufacturers' rim speed limit
 Know location & function of all control stations
 Keep all control stations free from obstructions to
ensure access at all times
 Report all unsafe conditions or practices
immediately

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 Blowers

Lesson Review
 State the purpose of a Blower

 To provide clean, oil-free air flow at relatively high

pressures

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 Blowers

Lesson Review
 List 5 components of the positive displacement
Blower

 Drive  Exhaust Port

 Blower Lobes  Timing Gears
 Casing  Shaft Support Bearings
 Inlet Filter / Silencer  Oil Bath Reservoir
 Inlet Port  Relief Valve

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 Blowers

Lesson Review
 What causes compression of the gases in a Blower
system?

 Compression occurs after the gas leaves the Blower and

encounters system resistance in performing its’ intended
work

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 Blowers

Lesson Review
 Relief valves can be used for 2 specific purposes.
What are they?

 Protect the Blower from excessive operating pressures

 Control air flow to downstream equipment

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 Blowers

Lesson Review
 State 2 applications for Blowers in your plant

 Axial & Swirl Air Blowers

 Air Slide Blowers
 Aeration Blowers
 Pneumatic Transport Blowers

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 Blowers

Lesson Review
 Describe 5 inspection points for a positive
displacement Blower

 As per Inspection information

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 Blowers

Lesson Review
 List 3 reasons that could explain the loss of airflow
capacity in a Blower’s system

 As per Troubleshooting information

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 Blowers

Lesson Review
 List 3 safety hazards associated with the positive
displacement Blower

 As per Safety information

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