In a power plant, the crusher plays a crucial role in breaking down raw materials such as coal, limestone, or other solid fuels into smaller, manageable sizes for the boiler's combustion process. The primary components of a crusher include:
Feed Hopper: This is the entry point where raw material is introduced into the crusher. It typically has a mechanism to control the feed rate.
Grizzly Bars: These are used to prevent oversized material from entering the crusher and to pre-screen the material.
Rotor or Crushing Elements: The main component that applies mechanical force to crush the material. This can be a rotating drum, jaw, impactor, or set of rollers, depending on the crusher type.
Crushing Chamber: The space where the material is introduced and crushed. It includes the surfaces that come in contact with and reduce the material.
Drive System: Usually powered by an electric motor, this system drives the rotor or crushing elements.
Discharge Conveyor or Screen: Once the material is crushed, it's transported out of the crusher either to another processing area or to storage. Screens may be used to separate sizes.
Base Frame or Casing: Provides the structural support for all the other components and often houses the mechanical parts.
Lubrication System: Ensures that the moving parts of the crusher are properly greased to reduce wear and tear.
Control System: Instrumentation and software that monitor and control the crusher's operation, ensuring optimal performance and safety.
Safety Features: Includes emergency stop buttons, guards, and other mechanisms to ensure the safe operation of the crusher.
Each type of crusher (jaw crusher, cone crusher, impact crusher, etc.) will have variations in these components, tailored to their specific crushing mechanism and intended use in the power plant.
