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NEW
APPLICATIONS
THE
HOOVER DAM
Application
Characteristics:
There are 18 hydroelectric generators at the Hoover Dam. These generators
tend to build up with grease, dirt, and oil with use. The dirtier
the generators get, the harder they work to run, which makes the
generators get warmer. According to a representative of the Bureau
of Reclamation, the generators are more efficient the cooler they
are so the goal is to keep the generators free from grease, dirt,
and oil as much as possible.
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The
exciter is itself a small
generator that makes electricity, which is sent to the rotor,
charging it with a magnetic field. (approximately 8 ft)
The rotor
is a series of electromagnets, also called poles. The rotor
is connected to the shaft, so that the rotor rotates when
the shaft rotates.
The stator
is a coil of copper wire. It is stationary. (sits on top of
rotor and is approximately 8 feet round)
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Current
Cleaning Method:
Before dry ice blasting, they were hand cleaning the generators
with long brushes reaching into the holes and in some cases using
solvents. Some generators were and are being cleaned in place while
some are taken apart and given a more thorough cleaning.
Dry
Ice blast cleaning versus current cleaning method:
Dry ice blasting decreases the time it takes to clean the generators
(exciter, rotor, and stator). Dry ice blasting has created a level
of cleaning not obtained before.
Recommended
Blast Machine:
AeRO 30 with a variety of nozzles at 60 - 80 PSI
Click
here for more photos.
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