A crown block is a pulley system located on the top of an oil rig that works with a movable block to increase drilling power. It requires maintenance to prevent cable damage.
A crown block is a pulley located at the top of an oil rig or tower. It sits on the crown deck, which is a steel platform located along the top of the rig. The crown block works in conjunction with a similar component, the movable block, which is positioned just below the crown platform. Together these two systems are known as the block and the tackle. While the block and tackle system appears relatively simple to outsiders, it is actually a critical component of the oil drilling process.
A crown block is a pulley that has a wire rope drill line running between it. While the crown block is fixed, the swing block moves up and down between the crown block and the floor of the rig.
The use of a crown block and a movable block greatly increases the power of the oil tower. The location of the pulleys allows the cables to withstand enormous levels of force and helps workers drill deeper and extract more oil. Without a crown block, the oil derrick would require much thicker and stronger cables. It would also require a more powerful and substantial pump system to operate successfully. The use of the block and tackle system provides a high degree of leverage to raise and lower the lift drum in order to maximize productivity and efficiency.
Depending on the size of the tower and the depth to which it is to drill, an oil rig can use a single or double crown block. While a single block uses only one set of pulleys, the double deck model includes two sets. These pulleys are positioned at right angles to each other to generate extra force and power.
A disadvantage of using the crown block design is its high maintenance requirement. These devices must remain lubricated to allow free passage of the pulleys through the pulleys. Insufficient lubrication can cause excessive friction, which could cause cables to crack or break.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
