3rd Quarter 2010Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Sweet Crystals Integrated Sugar Mill (SCISM) in the Philippines tried to improve the productivity of its centrifuges by shortening the cycle time but this resulted in a number of problems.
Firstly, the centrifuges were fitted with two-speed motors which were started direct-on-line. During the starts high inrush currents were drawn from the mains. The reduced cycle times resulted in a peak power increase which put a severe load on the diesel alternator supplying the factory.
Secondly, the centrifuge speed changes were not properly carried out by the contractors and this caused frequent breakdowns.
Finally, during deceleration of the baskets extra energy was lost in motor heating.
SCISM turned to Parker SSD to find a solution. Parker SSD proposed an innovative solution based on its regenerative AC drives linked on a common DC bus. They were sequenced in a way which reduced the overall demand on the diesel alternator.
Parker SSD also offered technical assistance throughout the project, from the specification stage through to system design, generation of electrical drawings, cubicle testing, system commissioning and production ramp up.
The project was ready on the designated day and resulted in several benefits.
Energy saving
The energy from the spinning centrifuges was no longer wasted as heat in the braking resistors but was transferred to motoring centrifuges through a common DC link. The regenerative drives allowed the energy to be fed back to the mains when the machine was globally regenerating. This resulted in a reduction of about 25% in overall power consumption. On the batch centrifugal station alone the energy savings amounted to about 160 kWH per hour of operation.
Better reliability
The centrifuges were now smoothly controlled during the whole machine cycle. The frequent mechanical breakdowns completely disappeared. Uptime on the batch centrifuge increased significantly, resulting in an improvement in productivity.
Short payback period
With shorter machine downtime, better productivity and a dramatic reduction in energy consumption, it was calculated that the investment in the revamping would be recovered in less than 24 months. In fact SCISM enjoyed a payback period of 18 months through energy savings alone.
Higher productivity
Parker SSD drives can control precisely, accelerate and safely brake the inertia of the centrifuges throughout the cycle of operation.
The batch centrifuge cycle time was reduced by 20%, with the centrifuge cycles increasing from 20 to 24 per hour. The productivity improvement resulted in an additional sugar output of 4000 kg per hour which was achieved while consuming less energy.
Reduction of peak power
The innovative Parker SSD cascade control allowed the batch centrifuges to be sequenced, which dramatically minimised the peak power demand on the diesel generator.
Control without complexity Axiom Hydraulics
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
In an era where precision, performance and smart control define industrial success, the right driver can make all the difference. At Axiom Hydraulics, we’ve seen firsthand how the Sun Hydraulics XMD series transforms hydraulic systems, from mining and construction to agriculture and automation.
Read more...Planetary gear units for high torque requirements SEW-EURODRIVE
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Packing a compact design, along with high torque and low-speed outputs, the new SEW PPK and SEW P2.e planetary gear units from SEW-EURODRIVE offer new capabilities in continuous heavy-duty applications where space is at a premium.
Read more...Medium voltage drive for enhanced energy efficiency and process optimisation Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Schneider Electric South Africa has unveiled its cutting-edge Altivar Process ATV6100 medium voltage (MV) drive range, designed to enhance energy efficiency and operational reliability across various industries.
Read more...Servicing the electric motor sector
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Hexagon Electrical has expanded its manufacturing and service capabilities to meet the growing demand for customised, high-performance specialised electric motors in heavy engineering, and hazardous industrial and mining applications.
Read more...Powerful high-precision hexapod
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
With the HEX150-125HL, Aerotech is launching the latest generation of its hexapod technology. The compact six-axis positioner combines precise movements with high load capacity and simple integration.
Read more...Why turbomachinery should break free from vendor lock-in Schneider Electric South Africa
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Today’s modern turbomachinery control systems form an important of operational efficiency, be it in heavy industries, traditional power generation or renewables such as hydroelectric facilities. Independence is the name of the game, and turbomachinery stands to gain lot from this newfound freedom.
Read more...Industrial gear units for mixing and agitating processes Bearing Man Group T/A BMG
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Nord Drive Systems encompass modular drive configurations that ensure optimum performance of mechanical speed control for specific applications in almost every industry.
Read more...PC-based control for a food capsule and pod packaging machine Beckhoff Automation
Editor's Choice Electrical switching & drive systems & components
For TME, a machine builder specialising in the packaging of powdered foods, Beckhoff’s PC-based control technology offers unlimited opportunities when it comes to performance and innovative capacity in terms of flexibility, scalability and openness.
Read more...New torque sensors for fastening applications
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
Sensor Technology, a global leader in innovative torque and load measurement solutions, has launched its latest advancement in torque sensing technology.
Read more...Miniature position sensor for precision motion control applications
Electrical switching & drive systems & components
The ILPS-13Z Series miniature linear variable inductive transducer position sensor is designed to deliver exceptional performance and reliability for a wide range of industrial and laboratory applications, including automotive R&D, motorsports, motion control, medical, military and aerospace.
printer friendly version