Applications
Not seen, but essential to the performance of the TGM planetary gears are the BAUM type seal rings.
VIRTUALLY MAINTENANCE-FREE Brazil is one of the world’s leaders in the use of ethanol and biofuel mixtures. Adequate domestic ethanol production capability is a key factor in the Brazilian economy. Since ethanol refineries work round the clock, only top-quality components can be used. This applies to the planetary gearboxes used by TGM and the seals in them. Brazil’s TGM Group, with headquarters in Sertaozinho in the state of São Paulo, is one of the leading manufacturers of steam turbines and planetary gearboxes used in ethanol refineries and biomass power plants. With 15 million vehicles now running on 100% ethanol or flex fuel in Brazil (see box), there is a big demand for ethanol and biofuels. So TGM products play an important role in maintaining a reliable transportation system in this South 14 Simrit insight 01|2012
American country. Ethanol refineries mainly consist of giant drums in which sugarcane is converted to ethanol through the addition of enzymes. TGM in collaboration with Perkun has developed special planetary gearboxes for the power trains used to operate these drums. These gearboxes must be able to operate maintenance-free and round-the-clock for months on end during the sugarcane harvest season. They must be able to withstand high
torques, large load differences, high temperatures and aggressive process fluids. This in turn places high demands on sealing products. “In terms of the overall cost of the planetary drive, seals play a relatively minor role; but they cause high costs when they fail,” says Aristides Mattar, Junior, engineering coordinator at TGM. Mattar continues: “That’s why we decided to go with Simrit as our sealing products supplier. Compared