Saturday, 27 April 2013
First IE4 synchronous reluctance motor and drive package installed
2013-01-08 - The world’s first IE4
synchronous reluctance motor and drive package (SynRM) from ABB has
replaced an induction motor-based variable-speed drive package at South
Staffs Water in the UK, resulting in an additional six percent energy
saving.
At Somerford Pumping Station the company needed
to replace a 20-year old, 115 kW induction motor used to control a
single vertical shaft driven borehole pump which abstracts 2.5 million
litres of water each day. The IE2 motor was already using an ABB drive,
ACS800, and had therefore maximized the process energy saving
opportunities presented by the drive’s flux optimization function. The
utility was interested in trialling the synchronous reluctance motor to
harness its benefits including higher efficiency, greater reliability,
lower heat loss, less noise and reduced maintenance costs.
The installation meant removing the existing drive and replacing it
with an ABB drive, ACS850, featuring a more powerful core processor that
enables operation with the synchronous reluctance motor along with the
next generation direct torque control (DTC), which avoids the need for
encoders and speed feedback devices.
The results from this SynRM package exceeded South Staffs Water’s expectations.
“The biggest benefit, above all others, is the six percent reduction in energy,” explains Keith Marshall, Supply Director at South Staffs Water. “While being one of the most efficient companies in the industry, our electricity bill is more than £9 million per year and rising through increases in wholesale energy prices. Pumping water accounts for some 90 percent of this spend as we have one of the highest pumping head of any UK water utility because of the deep boreholes and hilly terrain within our area of supply. So a six percent reduction on one pump in a system that was already very efficient is massive news for us.
“Including the UK government’s Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECAs), we estimate the return on investment to be between five to six years. Given that the existing drive and motor were already fairly efficient and therefore squeezing more savings was always going to be difficult, then this is a very acceptable return.”
A SynRM rotor has neither a conducting short circuit cage as with the induction motor, nor permanent magnets, nor a field excitation winding. Instead, the magnetic principle of reluctance is utilised. The streamlined rotor structure eliminates rotor cage losses, therefore increasing efficiency and compactness. Achieving standard power and torque levels at a low temperature rise class improves the lifetime of the motor insulation and lengthens the bearing lifetime or greasing intervals.
At South Staffs Water, the SynRM design has resulted in 58 percent reduction in frame temperature compared to the induction motor. “In the summer lots of sites run hot and using SynRM across more sites means we can dramatically reduce the need for forced ventilation,” says Marshall. “As the rotor has effectively no losses this lowers the bearing temperature. This means we can either choose to extend the period between greasing or increase the bearing life expectancy.”
The SynRM has resulted in a 75 percent reduction in audible noise: down from 78 dBA to 72.3 dBA when running at 1,450 rpm. “While Somerford is remote, the use of SynRM at booster stations close to residential areas is fantastic news for our neighbours and employees,” explains Marshall.
“What is significant is that we chose to trial the SynRM on an application that was already using leading edge drive technology, although it was controlling a 20-year old high efficiency induction motor,” explains Glen Hickman from Sentridge Control, the company responsible for designing the installation and commissioning the application.
“We could have reduced the size of the motor but for the purpose of a like-for-like comparison we opted to retain the same frame size. The additional six percent energy saving is incredible given that the application was already deemed to be extremely energy efficient. If we choose an older motor and drive combination elsewhere on the plant we believe the energy savings could easily reach 10 to 15 percent. We are now looking at applications that are using really old drive technology or where a motor-drive combination is deemed suitable.”
Such is the belief in the potential savings that South Staffs Water has brought forward its Investment Programme to capitalise sooner on the benefits. “This is such a sizable leap forward in technology over traditional induction motors that we are now considering other applications across our sites,” says Marshall. “Suddenly other applications that might have had low priority become easy targets within our Investment Programme.
“We have worked with Glen Hickman for over 15 years and during this time he has introduced many new technologies starting with frequency converters. It is one of the strengths of working with Glen and Sentridge that we remain at the forefront of technological developments. That is essential for our business and ultimately our customers.”
“The SynRM motor is specifically designed to work with variable torque loads being controlled by variable-speed drives,” says Steve Ruddell, Global Marketing Manager, ABB Motors and Generators. “Traditional induction motors are designed for fixed speed operation, which accounts for some 90 percent of the market. For the first time ever we have a motor technology that has been developed, from the outset, to specifically work with the variable-speed demands of pumps and fans.
“In the future I believe that every variable torque pump and fan application that needs a variable-speed should use the SynRM package. Most pump and fan applications are over-dimensioned by some 20 to 40 percent. At low load the efficiency gap between synchronous reluctance and induction motor technologies is at its greatest. There is simply no other combination out there that can achieve this.”
The results from this SynRM package exceeded South Staffs Water’s expectations.
“The biggest benefit, above all others, is the six percent reduction in energy,” explains Keith Marshall, Supply Director at South Staffs Water. “While being one of the most efficient companies in the industry, our electricity bill is more than £9 million per year and rising through increases in wholesale energy prices. Pumping water accounts for some 90 percent of this spend as we have one of the highest pumping head of any UK water utility because of the deep boreholes and hilly terrain within our area of supply. So a six percent reduction on one pump in a system that was already very efficient is massive news for us.
“Including the UK government’s Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECAs), we estimate the return on investment to be between five to six years. Given that the existing drive and motor were already fairly efficient and therefore squeezing more savings was always going to be difficult, then this is a very acceptable return.”
A SynRM rotor has neither a conducting short circuit cage as with the induction motor, nor permanent magnets, nor a field excitation winding. Instead, the magnetic principle of reluctance is utilised. The streamlined rotor structure eliminates rotor cage losses, therefore increasing efficiency and compactness. Achieving standard power and torque levels at a low temperature rise class improves the lifetime of the motor insulation and lengthens the bearing lifetime or greasing intervals.
At South Staffs Water, the SynRM design has resulted in 58 percent reduction in frame temperature compared to the induction motor. “In the summer lots of sites run hot and using SynRM across more sites means we can dramatically reduce the need for forced ventilation,” says Marshall. “As the rotor has effectively no losses this lowers the bearing temperature. This means we can either choose to extend the period between greasing or increase the bearing life expectancy.”
The SynRM has resulted in a 75 percent reduction in audible noise: down from 78 dBA to 72.3 dBA when running at 1,450 rpm. “While Somerford is remote, the use of SynRM at booster stations close to residential areas is fantastic news for our neighbours and employees,” explains Marshall.
“What is significant is that we chose to trial the SynRM on an application that was already using leading edge drive technology, although it was controlling a 20-year old high efficiency induction motor,” explains Glen Hickman from Sentridge Control, the company responsible for designing the installation and commissioning the application.
“We could have reduced the size of the motor but for the purpose of a like-for-like comparison we opted to retain the same frame size. The additional six percent energy saving is incredible given that the application was already deemed to be extremely energy efficient. If we choose an older motor and drive combination elsewhere on the plant we believe the energy savings could easily reach 10 to 15 percent. We are now looking at applications that are using really old drive technology or where a motor-drive combination is deemed suitable.”
Such is the belief in the potential savings that South Staffs Water has brought forward its Investment Programme to capitalise sooner on the benefits. “This is such a sizable leap forward in technology over traditional induction motors that we are now considering other applications across our sites,” says Marshall. “Suddenly other applications that might have had low priority become easy targets within our Investment Programme.
“We have worked with Glen Hickman for over 15 years and during this time he has introduced many new technologies starting with frequency converters. It is one of the strengths of working with Glen and Sentridge that we remain at the forefront of technological developments. That is essential for our business and ultimately our customers.”
“The SynRM motor is specifically designed to work with variable torque loads being controlled by variable-speed drives,” says Steve Ruddell, Global Marketing Manager, ABB Motors and Generators. “Traditional induction motors are designed for fixed speed operation, which accounts for some 90 percent of the market. For the first time ever we have a motor technology that has been developed, from the outset, to specifically work with the variable-speed demands of pumps and fans.
“In the future I believe that every variable torque pump and fan application that needs a variable-speed should use the SynRM package. Most pump and fan applications are over-dimensioned by some 20 to 40 percent. At low load the efficiency gap between synchronous reluctance and induction motor technologies is at its greatest. There is simply no other combination out there that can achieve this.”
Thursday, 25 April 2013
electronics4u: NEW INNOVATIONS IN ELECTRONICSEV charge times down...
electronics4u: NEW INNOVATIONS IN ELECTRONICSEV charge times down...: NEW INNOVATIONS IN ELECTRONICS EV charge times down to 90 minute When it comes to electric vehicles, the conversation invariably...
NEW INNOVATIONS IN ELECTRONICS
EV charge times down to 90 minute
When it comes to electric vehicles, the conversation invariably
diverts to concerns about vehicle range, infrastructure, and recharge
times. To address the last of those issues, Volvo and Siemens have
developed a new fast-charging system that cuts recharge times down … Continue reading
Energy efficient brain simulator outperforms supercomputers
In November 2012, IBM announced that it had used the Blue Gene/Q
Sequoia supercomputer to achieve an unprecedented simulation of more
than 530 billion neurons. The Blue Gene/Q Sequoia accomplished this feat
thanks to its blazing fast speed; it clocks … Continue reading
The world’s fastest roadster is a Bugatti
The world’s fastest roadster is a Bugatti. The Bugatti Veyron
16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse has set the world speed record for open-top
production sports cars at the Volkswagen Group’s proving grounds in
Ehra-Lessien where TÜV, the renowned independent German organisation … Continue reading
Solar Dish Pulls In Power of 2,0
It seems like everyone and their uncle is working on a better way
to get more energy out of photovoltaic solar cells, from using quantum
dots to fiber optics. Now a Swiss company has decided on a brute-force
method: hit … Continue reading
New microbatteries the most powerful yet
This graphic illustrates a high-power battery technology from the
University of Illinois. Ions flow between three-dimensional
micro-electrodes in a lithium ion battery. Credit: Beckman
Institute/University of Illinois Though they be but little, they are
fierce. The most powerful batteries on … Continue reading
Google Glass: Specs on specs
For those who are just plain curious if not serious about owning
Google Glass, the specs are here on Google Glass. Officially announced
for Glass Explorer edition, the spec details presented this week carry
the official word about display, camera, … Continue reading
Aston Martin’s hybrid hydrogen car set for 24-hour race
Aston Martin is to race a hybrid hydrogen car next month at the
ADAC Zurich 24 Hours of Nürburgring. This makes Aston Martin a standout,
in attempting to race a car of this kind at a grueling international
racing event. … Continue reading
“Pass IT On For Good” USB card helps repurpose old computers
What should you do with your old computer? Chances are that no
one will want to buy it, but you don’t want to just throw it away –
especially with e-waste being such a huge environmental concern.
Recycling or donating … Continue reading
The Velkess Flywheel: A more flexible energy storage technolog
A new Kickstarter project called Velkess (Very Large Kinetic
Energy Storage System) has recently gotten underway to bring an
inexpensive flywheel to market. The project is headed by Bill Gray, who
has taken a unique approach to flywheel design—a flexible … Continue reading
Mind-controlled devices reveal future possibiliti
A team of scientists and engineers at the University of Minnesota
is giving new meaning to the old adage: “Mind over matter.” Led by Bin
He, Ph.D., director of the Biomedical Functional Imaging and
Neuroengineering Laboratory, the team has created … Continue reading
Fuel might be the world’s smallest phone charger
Devotec Industries is launching a new product on Kickstarter that
just might be the world’s smallest emergency phone charging device.
It’s designed to be easily carried on a key ring, and everything needed
to top up a phone is crammed … Continue reading
Rocket powered by nuclear fusion could send humans to Mars
Human travel to Mars has long been the unachievable dangling
carrot for space programs. Now, astronauts could be a step closer to our
nearest planetary neighbor through a unique manipulation of nuclear
fusion, the same energy that powers the sun … Continue reading
New type of solar structure cools buildings in full sunlight
A Stanford team has designed an entirely new form of cooling
panel that works even when the sun is shining. Such a panel could vastly
improve the daylight cooling of buildings, cars and other structures by
radiating sunlight back into … Continue reading
Electronic implant designed to reduce obesity to undergo trials
UK-based scientists have designed an ‘intelligent’ microchip
which they claim can suppress appetite.Animal trials of the electronic
implant are about to begin and its makers say it could provide a more
effective alternative to weight-loss surgery. The chip is attached … Continue reading
Posted in Medical, Technology
Leave a comment
Study shows how easy it is to determine someone’s identity with cell phone data
While most people know that using a cell phone means that the
phone’s location is being recorded, a new study has revealed just how
little information is required to determine an individual’s personal
identity. By analyzing 15 months of cell … Continue reading
Posted in Technology
Leave a comment
Google patent suggests Google-Glass-ish control of appliances
Perceptions, design concepts, and expectations of Google Glass
roll on, with yet another patent filing by Google. This time the call is
for a Google Glass-like wearable computer to be the ultimate solution
for remote controls. So far, the popular … Continue reading
Posted in Technology
Leave a comment
Get Ready To Drone-Proof Your House
Tim Faucett, who owns APlus Mobile which makes mobile computer
units that manage robots and unmanned aircraft vehicles for the U.S.
Navy and Lockheed Martin, believes we’ll need to protect ourselves from
drones, and not just the ones being piloted … Continue reading
Posted in Technology
Leave a comment
‘Under the skin’ blood-testing device developed
Scientists say they have developed a tiny blood-testing device
that sits under the skin and gives instant results via a mobile phone.
The Swiss team say the wireless prototype – half an inch (14mm) long –
can simultaneously check for … Continue reading
Posted in Medical, Technology
Leave a comment
Kenyan Boy’s Invention Scares Off Lions
Thirteen-year-old Kenyan Richard Turere faced a serious problem:
Hungry lions were attacking his family’s precious herd of cattle. So the
enterprising boy came up with an ingenious, low-tech solution to keep
them away. Lions are a constant threat to farmers … Continue reading
Posted in Technology, Wild Life
Leave a comment
Thermodo adds a thermometer to your smartphone
Today’s sensor-packed smartphones can measure a lot of things,
but ambient temperature generally isn’t one of them. It is possible to
buy separate Bluetooth temperature-sensing modules, and it’s been
suggested that mobile devices could use beams of infrared light to … Continue reading
Posted in Technology
Leave a comment
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)