Magnet motor can cut WWT energy costs
8 Apr 2013
Gothenburg, Sweden – SKF has launched a high-speed, permanent magnet motor for aeration blowers in wastewater treatment (WWT) facilities, which, it claims, can reduce energy consumption by up to 40%.
In WWT facilities, the aeration blower system can demand as much as 80% of the plant’s total energy consumption. According to SKF, when used in a 350 kW blower it’s technology could provide annual savings of 500,000 kWh and a 375-tonne reduction in CO2 emissions.
“Compared with a traditional blower, the SKF solution in a 350 kW centrifugal air blower offers payback on investments in one year from energy savings alone”,says Vincent Megret, Managing Director, SKF Magnetic Systems.
The system comprises a high-speed permanent magnet motor (PMM) that can deliver between 75 kW-350 kW, active magnetic bearings (AMB) and integrated AMB control system.
This range of oil-free motor solutions has a number of features that enhance performance; for example, unlike traditional induction motors, the PMM maintains efficiency at half-load and half-speed operation, said SKF.
The design also uses less mechanical parts than traditional drive systems, which means reduced maintenance, while powerful built-in monitoring and diagnostic capabilities maintain high performance and reliability.
