Roller-style cable carriers in a compost plant

The ambient conditions in this compost plant are extreme and the cable carriers have to withstand those conditions. Organic waste rots in an enclosed hall and becomes damp and hot. Temperatures up to 104°F and atmospheric moisture of nearly 100% are common. Anyone entering must wear a face mask.

Moreover, there are all sorts of substances in the air which influence the procedure. In an exploratory analysis, concentrations of ammonia and organic acids were found in the air in the rotting hall. Slimy bio-films had formed on all surfaces including the igus® cable carrier systems. The pH values on these surfaces are about pH 5.

The plant is in operation day and night, so the demands on the durability of the components are extremely high.

Rugged stainless steel trough guides the cable carriers. Only stainless steel is suitable for the harsh conditions.

The hall where the rotting compost is kept is 443 feet long and 197 feet wide, which roughly corresponds to the size of the layer-rearranging unit. The unit works at speeds of 0.3 ft/s.

Although the roller cable carriers have been in operation for over two years, so far they show no sign of wear whatsoever. The cable carrier systems are tested every month, after which a test report is generated. These reports confirm that no abrasive wear has taken place to date.

The roller cable carriers do not need lubrication and are not hindered by the weight of the encased cables, water and hydraulic hoses, or the slimy organic waste involved in this application.

Besides cable carriers, chainflex® continuous-flex cables, guide troughs, separators and strain reliefs from igus® are also used. The cables had to be laid in such a way that the load distribution was maintained throughout the length of the cable carrier. Separators keep cables and hoses apart.

This cable carrier contains carefully laid cables and media hoses with separators to guarantee that everything works efficiently.