Have you ever encountered a Sutorbilt blower that overheats to the point of potential fire hazard? What could be causing this overheating issue - a restricted discharge line, perhaps? Recently, a minor fire occurred in our waste treatment facility due to an overheated blower, causing significant damage. It is unclear whether a bearing failure, lack of lubrication, or melted seals from the fire led to the loss of oil in the blower. Despite normal monthly vibration readings just days before the incident, the blower's extreme overheating was unexpected. Any insights or assistance you can provide for our investigation would be highly valued.
The location of the fire on the blower is a crucial question - was it at the bearing or the seal? In order for a fire to occur, the fire triangle must be present: a source of heat, oxygen, and fuel. Oxygen is typically sourced from the air. It is important to determine if the heat that ignited the fire was due to a seized bearing. Additionally, was the fuel for the fire derived from the lube oil?
Hey Josh, thank you for your timely response. The fire damaged a rubber expansion joint located just a few feet away from the blowers discharge. Additionally, the paint along the discharge line was blistered and the insulation became blackened.
David, I have observed comparable incidents of fires occurring in Sutorbilt blowers. These fires typically originated at the rubber expansion joint due to blockages in the discharge. While the accuracy of this conclusion is uncertain, there is a significant number of fire incidents for researchers to analyze. These blowers were handling semolina flour.
Hey Danny, the blower is currently being inspected for any issues. It seems like the relief did lift at some point, indicating a possible restriction. The blower will undergo dissection for faults this week, and I will provide updates on any findings we uncover. Stay tuned for more information.
Have you ever wondered where the heat that caused the expansion joint rubber to burn came from? One way to prevent this is by replacing the rubber with a ceramic blanket expansion joint, eliminating the potential fuel source for fires.
I'm really sorry to hear about the fire; that sounds incredibly challenging. Overheating in Sutorbilt blowers can definitely be tied to a few factors, including a restricted discharge line that can cause excessive pressure build-up and heat. However, I’d also look into lubrication issues, as insufficient oil can lead to bearing failure even if the readings seemed normal. Sometimes, degraded seals can lead to oil loss without noticeable signs until it's too late. It might be worth inspecting the flow of air and ensuring that any filtration systems aren't clogged, too. Hopefully, your investigation can uncover the root cause so you can prevent this in the future!
I'm really sorry to hear about the incident at your facility; that sounds incredibly stressful. Overheating in Sutorbilt blowers can definitely stem from a few issues, including restricted discharge lines, as you suggested, but also consider the possibility of clogged filters or inadequate ventilation, which can trap heat. Since you mentioned normal vibration readings, a bearing failure does seem less likely, but perhaps check the lubrication system closely, as it could be an issue with oil starvation or degradation that wasn’t evident until stress levels increased. It might also be worth investigating the operating conditions—any fluctuations in load or changes in ambient temperature could contribute. I hope you get to the bottom of it safely!
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Answer: Answer: Common causes of overheating in Sutorbilt blowers can include a restricted discharge line, bearing failure, lack of lubrication, or melted seals leading to oil loss.
Answer: Answer: Yes, an overheating Sutorbilt blower can pose a potential fire hazard, as seen in the example where a minor fire occurred in a waste treatment facility due to an overheated blower.
Answer: Answer: Yes, regular maintenance practices such as monitoring vibration readings, ensuring proper lubrication, and checking for any obstructions in the discharge line can help prevent overheating issues in Sutorbilt blowers.
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