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Smelt spout robot for recovery boiler

A robotic solution for a rough environment.

The smelt spout area of a recovery boiler is one of the least desirable places – and sometimes a dangerous place – to work in. However, essential regular tasks need to be carried out for efficient and smooth operation of the boiler.

Smelt can cause several issues in the spout area as it tends to coagulate and plug the spouts and needs regular cleaning. In most cases, this operation is carried out manually by the operators with long steel rods to remove solidified smelt.

An automated smelt spout cleaning system will clean and maintain up to three ANDRITZ standard-spaced smelt spouts using one robotic arm.

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Safety elements have been paramount in importance

Robot's actual working area is isolated behind a safety fence
Working area is locked of personnel when in operation
Local PLC System for communication handling between the DCS and PLC, and PLC and the robotic system
Robot itself can be operated via a touch panel located outside of the safety fence

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Robot's Features:

Placed in front of the smelt spouts
Suspended from a separate steel support structure
Customized tool on the end of the arm
Operation area isolated behind a safety fence
Operated via a touch panel

Benefits:

Increased personnel and process safety
Increased availability
More productivity
Electronic sensor positioning
Robot covered with protective suit

Find out more ...

Improving Safety in the Recovery Boiler – ANDRITZ Smelt Spout Cleaning Systems

ANDRITZ Smelt Spout Cleaning Systems are proving to be something of a hit with recovery boiler operators world-wide, with several successful installations and more than 20 new systems on order. Nevertheless, the work never stops in developing the robotic systems further; ANDRITZ experts have devised a number of new features that help to provide an even safer working environment, as well as new intelligent tools for managing efficiency in a recovery boiler.