IE5 motors help realise energy savings
An energy assessment, carried out by APDS – an ABB Value Provider – estimated that the project will reduce energy costs by £40,000 annually and will significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Payback for the SynRM packages and installation is estimated to be under three years.
A large collection of motors has been upgraded to IE5 SynRM in the plant’s paint shop, powering a network of supply and exhaust fans for the paint spraying booths. The motors, which range between 55 – 132 kW, are paired with ABB general purpose drives and were chosen primarily for their energy- saving capabilities.
The drives are integrated into the plant’s new PLC system, improving operational communications across the paint shop. The paint shop operates with a positive air pressure, meaning more air is introduced into the area than is removed. This ensures dust in the air does not settle on the painted products, helping deliver a blemish-free finish. The PLC functions by monitoring the air pressure and triggering the drive to increase power to the fans if, for example, a door is opened. The drives also enable an underload function. This indicates if there is a reduced load on the belt-driven fan systems used for ventilating the spray booth, alerting maintenance staff and reducing the potential for expensive downtime.
Other benefits of the IE5 SynRM motor and drive packages include lower ambient noise and lower running temperature which results in reduced heat losses and lower ongoing maintenance requirements.
