Process Plant
 |
| SSS Clutch in a Steam Turbine Starter/Helper drive for an FCC Compressor. |
 |
| SSS Clutch in an energy recovery drive for a pump. |
DUAL DRIVES FOR REDUNDANCY AND BACKUP
SSS Clutches enable fans, pumps, compressors etc to be driven by alternate
prime movers with the drive transferred from one prime mover to the other
automatically at any speed.
For smaller powers and speeds shaft mounted SSS Clutches are available which require no additional bearings for their support and are self lubricating. For high power and/or high speed applications foot mounted units are available which may be self lubricating or supplied with oil from the same system as the main machine. If required the foot mounted clutches can be fitted with an input shaft lock so the driving machine may be secured for maintenance while the fan, pump or compressor continues to be driven by the alternate prime mover.
STARTER/HELPER DRIVES
The ability of the SSS Clutch to automatically engage and disengage a
driver at full speed enables a starter drive (for example, a steam turbine)
to be reconnected to the main machine at any time to supplement the total
drive power. This can be useful in process plant where the availability
of steam may be variable or intermittently required for other purposes.
ENERGY RECOVERY
Many industrial processes produce “waste” energy as heat or
pressure in fluids or gases which can be recovered in a turbine and utilised
to drive the main process compressor or pump. An SSS Clutch allows an
energy recovery turbine to be connected to the main process compressor
or pump after the process has started and is producing waste energy in
significant and constant amounts.
Energy recovery turbines are often expected to handle very aggressive
media so regular maintenance may be necessary. An SSS Clutch allows the
turbine to be shut down when necessary then be reconnected without stopping
the main plant.