Wireless temperature monitoring protects steel manufacturer’s roll neck bearings

Clever wireless temperature monitoring technology, from Endress+Hauser, ensured that German steel manufacturers, Ilsenburger Grobblech GmbH, were able to detect any costly friction damage to their roll neck bearings to maintain and protect these expensive assets.

Every company has a vested interest in making sure that its processes are running at optimum levels because any incidents likely to cause a system shutdown may could lead to costly repairs and result in considerable losses. Ilsenburger Grobblech GmbH optimized its plant availability through recording temperatures at the roll neck bearings and a straightforward implementation using WirelessHART.

Ilsenburger Grobblech's demanding four-high rolling stand

The four-high rolling stand at Ilsenburger Grobblech comprises of two work rolls which reshape the steel slabs directly, and two back-up rolls, which transfer roll pressure to the work rolls. The four-high stand has a maximum rolling force of 80,000 kilonewton. This situation is very demanding, even for roll neck bearings. The roll neck bearings are located on the operating and drive side of the upper and lower back-up rolls.

These are known as Morgoil friction bearings. A lubrication circuit ensures that the Morgoil bearings get the lubrication they need. The temperature of this circuit should be monitored at the inlet and outlet. An increase in the temperature differential indicates a higher degree of friction inside the bearings which may result in damage. However, the ambient conditions which prevail at the rolling stand make it difficult to wire up the necessary temperature sensors securely

Endress+Hauser's wireless temperature monitoring solution

For temperature measurement, TR15 resistance thermometers with a weld-in thermowell and replaceable insert are used. These have already proven their worth a thousand times over in challenging industrial applications. Each temperature sensor is fitted with an adapter which enables wireless data transmission based on the WirelessHART standard.

Due to space limitations and possibly restricted radio communication, installing the adapter directly on the temperature sensor is not advised. The adapter is therefore installed remotely and connected to the temperature sensor using a short cable. The adapter not only facilitates data transmission, it also powers the connected device via the battery integrated in the adapter.

The various benefits of this type of solution included: detection of any damage to the friction bearings; predictive maintenance intervention; and protection of the extremely costly friction bearings.

Advantages of WirelessHART technology

• Remote and difficult-to-access measuring points connected without expensive cables.
• Simple planning, rapid installation, quick integration into the plant infrastructure.
• High level of reliability due to redundant communication paths.
• Easiest upgrade of Endress+Hauser and third party HART® devices.
• Optimal point of installation in every application due to the flexible adapter concept.
• Non-reactive and autarkic field device operation due to battery operation.
• Simple parametrisation and monitoring of entire plant sections using DTM and DD. technology with i.e. FieldCare®, Endress+Hauser’s Plant Asset Management software.

For more information, please visit www.uk.endress.com/en.