Product category:
Energy management; Boiler control
News Release from: ABB Automation Tech (Drives and Motors) | Subject: Variable speed drives
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 25 May 2005
Waste plant energy saves power with ABB
drives
A waste incineration facility in London has reduced the electricity consumption of its boiler fans by over 50 percent since installing ABB drives
A waste incineration facility in London has reduced the electricity consumption of its boiler fans by over 50 percent since installing ABB drives The London Waste plant at Edmonton, in North London, receives domestic waste from a number of North London local authorities, as well as commercial and clinical waste, and uses this as fuel to generate electricity
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 22 Sep 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
Savings from PID control on variable speed drives
Steel wheel maker, Magnetto-Topy is achieving unprecedented energy savings by applying closed loop control to an existing variable speed drive installation on water cooling flow control
Ammonia plant pumps continue running at 40Hz
ABB variable speed drives are saving a fertiliser manufacturer the cost of investing in new pumps and process equipment, by driving existing 1920s pumps at their design frequency, 40 Hz
"The fans that bring air into the boilers to assist combustion were driven by 735 rpm slip ring motors running at full speed, with the airflow controlled by pneumatically actuated dampers,' explains Richard Hobson, Electrical Engineering Manager at the plant.
'However, the type and age of the equipment made the airflow difficult to control, leading to large increments between damper positions'.
As part of the company's programme to improve environmental performance, Hobson approached ABB Drives Alliance partner Mid Kent Electrical (MKE), as one of a number of companies to look at improving the process by installing variable speed drives.
Following an energy audit of the application, MKE proposed controlling the motor with a 55kW variable speed drive from ABB.
This form of control would remove the air damper in favour of variable speed of the fan motor.
To reduce costs, Hobson asked MKE to use the new drive with the existing motor with its slip rings linked out, rather than replacing the motor.
An energy audit was carried out to compare the new control equipment with the old one.
The result of the audit showed that energy consumption had been cut by more than 50%, giving an expected payback of less than two years based on current consumption, as well as reduced CO2 emissions.
MKE supplied a turnkey package with all components, installation and modification to the existing switchgear and motor.
In addition, MKE supplied training at its Sittingbourne works for London Waste employees, to familiarise them with the new ABB drive.
Since the first installation, two further drives have since been installed, providing better control and greater savings.
Under the new variable speed control, the new ABB motor needs to draw only 22A compared with the 53A drawn by the old motor, figures confirmed by Hobson tests.
'Our operations staff also report that control of the boiler is now much more precise,' says Hobson.
• ABB Automation Tech (Drives and Motors): contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Processingtalk email newsletter
• Processingtalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
