Switzerland-headed plant engineering and service company Hitachi Zosen Inova AG (HZI) has presented an innovation for the retrofitting of reciprocating grates for waste-to-energy (WtE) plants. The new HZI DuoBlock, a dual grate block, is 206 mm wide, and designed for easier handling during grate bar replacement and to save costs for clients.
The DuoBlock comes with an additional mounting option: blocks can be bolted together, or tension rods can be used. This facilitates the replacement of individual grate blocks. The block weighs 35 percent less than two individual blocks, so it reduces wear on grate carriages and drives.
The number of gaps between the grate blocks used is reduced by 50 percent, which reduces the risk of spreading and setting up grate rows and thus unplanned plant downtimes.
The new grate block can be used with all HZI R-series reciprocating grates. It is not necessary to replace the complete grate surface: individual rows and zones can also be swapped out, for example in the course of regular revision.
The grate block is available in the classic HZI design and as a variant with primary air injection on the top. The primary air supply on the top side reduces the tendency to clogging in special applications, thus reducing the thermal load on the grate blocks and increasing their service life.
The HZI DuoBlock is already considerably cheaper for our customers when purchased. It’s quicker to fit and reduces downtime and mounting costs during revision, remarked Lorenz Mäussler, Director of Global Spare Parts at HZI, and who was involved in the development of the block.
