Modernised irrigation control system
First Quarter 2020
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
As a preferred supplier to the agricultural industry due to proven reliability and performance, Varispeed designs, manufactures and distributes constant pressure solutions. With a good knowledge of the industry, it has insight into the system challenges and their unique requirements.
Agricultural irrigation systems require precise pressure control in the distribution of water systems to ensure constant pressure; this constant pressure also ensures energy savings. Varispeed’s irrigation solutions are specifically designed to protect electrical motors, pumps and piping systems from damage, overloads or pressure surges, all whilst keeping the need for constant pressure, system reliability and energy efficiency top-of-mind.
How it works
Three 55 kW 400 VAC dual VSD modernised pressure control panels are used to control six pumps that pump water from the river into two holding dams. The system on the first dam distributes water onwards via eight single VSD panels which in turn control eight pumps, pumping the water out to irrigation blocks at 6-13 bar water pressure, user selectable based on the farmers’ requirements.
Pumping water from the second dam are eight Dual 55 kW 400 VAC VSD panels that control 16 pumps. The system distributes water into irrigation blocks at 5-16 bar. This configuration is made up of eight sets of two pumps in series that incorporate Varispeed’s simple and reliable suction and pressure control software solution, embedded directly into the VSDs thus eliminating the need for costly additional controllers.
Modernised software for a modern problem
Varispeed was approached to provide a reliable irrigation pumping scheme that supplies constant water pressure to grow table grapes. Based on this brief, it was able to produce a system that exceeded all the reliability and performance expectations.
The company designed a modernised control panel to replace the antiquated individual dial setting type systems, in favour of a more precise, user-friendly settable pressure system. The modernised system has improved the efficiency of the irrigation solution and the manner in which they can be controlled.
“Our team was able to offer the customer a complete engineered solution that exceeded the performance and reliability requirements they required,” concluded Varispeed managing director, Ralph Real.
Further reading:
Specialised heavy lifting and transport solutions for Singapore’s offshore island
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
A groundbreaking land reclamation project on an offshore island in Singapore has paved the way for the country’s first polder, reclaiming about 800 hectares of land.
Read more...
PC-based control for additive machine tools
Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
IRPD is a specialist in additive machine tools. Development is heavily focused on high system throughput and consistently high process quality. This goal was achieved with the help of PC- and EtherCAT-based control and drive technology from Beckhoff.
Read more...
Major software release for Parker PSD servo drives
Parker Hannifin - Sales Company South Africa
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Parker Hannifin has released its PSD servo drive family delivering new control modes, advanced synchronisation functions and performance optimisations designed to improve throughput, accuracy and system efficiency in demanding industrial applications.
Read more...
Beckhoff expands economy drive system
Beckhoff Automation
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Beckhoff’s new AM1000 servomotor joins the company’s economy drive system. The compact, powerful motor and the AX1000 servo drive provide users with a perfectly coordinated, cost-optimised drive system.
Read more...
Moving next-generation monopiles
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Wind turbine sizes are increasing at an unprecedented rate. The bigger the turbine, the more power it can generate and the fewer are needed per wind farm. Mammoet has been ahead of the curve in coming up with ways to make the movement of even XXL monopiles faster and more cost-effectively.
Read more...
PC-based control for flat wire motors for electric vehicles
Beckhoff Automation
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Special machine manufacturer, ruhlamat Huarui Automation Technologies has unveiled the second generation of its mass production line for flexible stators with bar winding (pins). This enables an extremely short production cycle and line changeover times, supported by PC- and EtherCAT-based control technology from Beckhoff.
Read more...
New generation surface drill rig
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Epiroc South Africa is launching a new and improved PowerROC T45. This new generation surface drill rig offers increased fuel efficiency and high availability, and is a welcome addition to the PowerROC family.
Read more...
Coke drum integrity project at Canadian oil sands site
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Mammoet supported a leading Canadian energy provider in Alberta’s oil sands with replacing its original eight coke drums.
Read more...
Rip-and-ship solution speeds up nuclear decommissioning project
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
When removing steam generators from decommissioned nuclear reactor buildings, the most economical method is to remove them in one piece. Mammoet was commissioned by Framatome to support with the removal of four steam generators from PreussenElektra’s Nuclear Power Plant Unterweser in Germany.
Read more...
Helping to solve wastewater challenges
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
KSB Pumps and Valves is doubling its efforts to help government and municipalities find practical and technical solutions to the growing wastewater challenges gripping large parts of the country.
Read more...
printer friendly version