Drive time
15 Jan 2000
Brunner Mond has been upgrading and replacing obsolete drives which pump cooling water to its Northwich, Cheshire plant.
Seven Alstom Alspa GD4000s now drive the pumps and provide variable speed control using serial links to a management control system.
The drives respond to load demand to provide the exact amount of water and ensure no water or electricity is wasted by overpumping, says Alstom.
Because of other high powered equipment on the site, harmonic generation back into the supply line can cause a problem. Alstom claims its GD4000 sinusoidal input rectifier reduces the harmonics associated with 6 and 12 pulse rectifying equipment.
