Propeller head
Ask any engineer about electric motors and most of us visualise low- or medium-voltage three-phase equipment, either precision synchronous motors, driving machines or, more likely, standard asynchronous induction motors running pumps, fans and sometimes compressors. We see them everywhere, on all manner of industrial and utility plant, as well as heating and ventilating systems.
Passionate about energy
Every engineer knows that energy saving is good. It's almost invariably linked with worthwhile emissions savings and there are attractive financial returns. Also, installing new equipment, instrumentation and/or controls usually solves what are often annoying maintenance and/or operations headaches, as well as resulting in cleaner plant and better working environments.
Saving the earth
In the rush to save energy and reduce emissions, it's easy to forget the sheer range of potential solutions. Dr Tom Shelley reviews some of today's most powerful options
In the driving seat
Motors, drives and controls have been advancing fast, with a goal of improving plant operations, energy efficiency and the bottom line. Steed Webzell explores new systems, emerging best practice and top tips
Motor Madness
Man enough, simple and lowest cost have been the rules of thumb for specifying electric motors on plant. Brian Tinham explains how the guidelines are changing
Dust explosion
Running motors and low voltage ac drives on plants with dusty environments has been regulated under the ATEX directives since 2006. Steve Ruddell explains the detail
Compressed energy
Electric motors use two-thirds of all electricity consumed by industry, so any technology capable of cutting this drain on resources has got to be a good thing. Yet, despite proven and significant savings from variable speed drives (VSDs) - particularly on fan and pump control duties - they are still installed only on a tiny minority of applications.
Go easy on energy
The oil price might fall below $100 per barrel, taking other energy prices down with it, but it may also climb to $200, according to energy industry insider Mike Brooks of St Omer Consulting. The point: plant managers should be planning projects to deliver energy savings right now - and not just incremental improvements, but serious cuts, taking advantage of new and existing technologies.
Unreasonable engineering
So how do you fancy a bit of unreasonable engineering? How about building a variable speed electric motor, rated at 2.5MW for pumping operations 3,000 metres down on the sea bed? Oh, and, for good measure, let's have it driven by an 11kV supply 30km away, and plan for a design life of 15 years, with minimum time between interventions of five years.
Variable speed evolution
The most significant advances in AC variable speed drive technology are behind us. Over a decade ago, the shift from bipolar transistors to insulated gate bipolar transistors heralded a quantum leap in efficiency.