Features Research & Innovation
First Prize: PAUL CRILLEY, Irving Pulp & Paper, Saint John, NB, Tube Can

The tube can is used to transport sootblower tubes to the upper floors of the recovery boiler. The sootblower feed tubes come with a heavy cardboard protector over the tube to prevent damage while shipping and during storage. To lift the tubes, workers had to remove the protector before it could be hoisted and the protector was usually discarded. The tube can is built of 4-in., 11-gauge stainless steel pipe, 18 in. long. On one end of the tube is a piece of stainless steel plate. At the other end are two lifting lugs, one on each side near the top. The lugs have rounded corners to prevent catching during the lift. They also have holes in them to take 0.5-in. shackles. The benefits are that the tubes are not damaged during lifting or while stored on the racks on the recovery boiler floors and it keeps the tubes from getting dirty. The tube can may also be used to lift lance tubes, piping or steel. It can be made from any size pipe.