VARIABLE SPEED DRIVE TECHNOLOGY ENABLES ENERGY SAVINGS

Written By Guest User

In a previous issue of Our World magazine, which included a feature on Innovation in the Group, the Variable Speed Drive technology installed on the cooling tower system at AEL’s Nitric Acid plant was featured. Implementation of this BIGGER Idea led to lower energy use on the fans at night and in winter because less air is now required to cool the plant.

110 kilowatts of power savings over 8 560 operational hours were realised, which is 941 600 kilowatt hours per year. The energy saved equates to R856 000 and a payback period of 1,3 years for the project, which cost R1,1 million.

The long-term advantages include:

  • Reduced energy consumption, and therefore a cleaner environment owing to lower air emissions

  • Reduced stress on the fans means fewer fan and gearbox failures, leading to better plant availability and higher production levels

  • Reduced stress log during start-ups. Motors were started directly online before the project was implemented

Guest User
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