Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1916-10-10
ENGINEERS
WARMLY DISCUSS
THEIR PROBLEMS
Continued from Page A.

records. They are usually placed so
that the massecuite runs into them
from the pans and Is brought to any
point along the length of the centri-
fugal mixer with a screw conveyor or
by means Of magma pump. In one
factory the massecuite Is run into the
crystalliZers with a flume IS inches
wide, l2 inches high and 100 feet long
on per cent grade and delivered
from crystallizer to mixer by means
of screw conveyor IL inches in dia-
meter and 60 feet long.
Usually the shipping sugars when
in the form Of massecuites are left
in the crystallizers for a period of
from IL to "a hours, but with the low
grade sugars about SO hours is re-
quired for capitalization, depending
wholly upon the quality of the juices
being handled in the factory and the
methods of sugar boiling employed in
the pans. II is customary. however,
to use crystallizers for low grade
sugars only.
Stirring Devices Vary
The speed of the stirring devices
minute, steam, water or electricity be-
ing the motive power generally used.
Belt driven crystallizers are, in the
opinion of the writer, to be preferred
to crystalliZers which are driven by
means of shafts connecting the one
with the other, for the reason that if
there is any trouble with the worm
or gear of any one crystalliZer the
whole battery OF crystallizers is not
put out of commission pending re-
pairs. There are, however, a number
of installations where the shaft drive
is used. One factory ON Oahu has as
many as eight crysta1lizers in a row
driven by direct connection from one
to the other, which after two years
of service is giving satisfaction.
1T is considered good practise where
new centrifugals are replacing old
ones to use 40 inch rather than 80
inch machines. In fact, one factory
on Maui is installing As inch machines,
and we have knowledge of go inch ma
chimes being advocated for Cuba. The
larger machines have found favor be-
cause Of given cycle made up of
the period for starting. running and
stopping the quantity Of sugar dried is |
greater than in a smaller machine.
BELT driven centrifugals are in
the majority in Hawaii, water wheels |
or water turbines being used together
with electric motors and the usual |
steam engine for furnishing power
Question of Drive ~. .~.. il. T.. ....~
THE subject of the water drive ma |
chine vs. the belt driven centrifugal Is |
still a live one for discussion. but |
opinion seems 10 point to the fact |
that the greatest efficiency is attained |
with the belt driven machine because
of the small losses which occur be-
tween prime mover and centrifugal
spindle. - .<..s r.. IT.
TN the Lihue mill steam turbine |
operating at 1900 revolutions per |
minute at 80 pounds pressure belted |
direct to the main drive shaft is used |
installed during the 1916 crop and has |
proved to be very satisfactory.
"In conclusion 1t may be of import |
ance to call your attention to the |
necessity of giving close attention to
the belts, friction brake shoes and |
brake bands on belt driven machines. |
If the friction brake shoes are ad-
justed too close acceleration takes |
place so quickly that belt slippage |
becomes serious enough to iniure the |
belts. On the other hand, If the |
brake shoes are adjusted too loosely
too much time is lost in bringing the
up to speed. A good rule to |
follow in the adjustment of brake |
shoes is to have sufficient friction be-
tween the friction wheel and the
former to make it almost impossible
for the operator to hold the basket
from moving when the friction lever is
applied. ..."." =:-
Nothing new has developed in the
past year with reference to dis
chargers for centrifugals, but the need
for them is becoming of greater i'm
as the old hands on centri-
fugals are being replaced by men of
small stature.
Respectfully submitted,
. 1922 GEORGE F. WINTER,
Chairman, Committee on Cylinders
and Centrifugals."
The account Of yesterday after
moons proceedinos Of the enojnee rsi