Print this page Twenty Ways to Optimize Electric Efficiency in the Use of Induction Motors
A. Bhatia, B.E.
Course Outline
Energy conservation
when considered as a new energy source assumes tremendous potential in enhancing
overall productivity. According to statistics, electric motor-driven equipment
accounts for over half of all the electricity consumed in the United States.
Improving the efficiency of electric motors and the equipment they drive even
by small percentage can result in tremendous energy and dollar savings.
Opportunities for energy conservation are wide spread and applicable to new
as well as old plants.
This 4-hour online course provide 20 different strategies to guide you into
the electric motor evaluation process and highlights common ways you can improve
system efficiency and reliability to achieve permanent long-term electric cost
reduction.
This course
includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the
understanding of the course materials.
Learning Objective
At the conclusion of this course, the student will be aware of:
- Characteristics, types and classification of motors based on NEMA;
- Fixed and variable losses of induction motors;
- Power quality and impact of voltage/phase imbalance and power factor on motor performance;
- Motor efficiency v/s motor load and motor load v/s speed relationships
- Motor load estimation techniques;
- Comparison of Energy Efficient v/s Standard Motors;
- Cost evaluating methods & simple payback analysis of motor replacement;
- Application of variable speed drives on motor energy savings;
- Motor transmission efficiency using synchronous belts/soft starters;
- Starting systems viz. direct-on-line, delta star controllers;
- Motors repair or replacement decisions; and
- Monitoring and
maintenance practices.
This course discusses the energy efficiency improvement in induction motors and is aimed at Students, Electrical & Control Engineers, Mechanical & Process System Design Engineers, Energy Auditors, Operational & Maintenance Personnel, Sales & Marketing personnel, and Loss Prevention Engineers.
Course Introduction
There is hardly
any mechanical process that doesn't use electric motors. Electric motors are
on the blowers, conveyors, fans, and pumps; they are in the boiler, compressed
air, cooling tower, and refrigeration systems; they are on the machine tools,
saws, sifters and screw conveyors; they are everywhere. That is why more and
more concentration and attention is required in economic selection and running
of motors that will result in the minimal energy consumption.
Energy efficiency decisions are important decisions that affect operating cost
for the life of the equipment. Annual energy operating costs of electric motors
usually far exceed purchase prices, especially in larger motor sizes and in
areas with higher-than-average electric costs.
By optimizing the efficiency of your motor-driven systems, you can increase
productivity while saving significant amounts of energy and money. It is important
to note that majority of savings shall accrue not on the motor itself but on
the motor-driven system as a whole.
The course reviews the above criteria in detail and is followed by course summary
and multiple - choice quiz at the end.
Course Content
The course content is in a PDF file Twenty Ways to Optimize Electric Efficiency in the Use of Induction Motors. You need to open or download this document to study this course.
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to download Acrobat Reader to view and print the document.
Course Summary
Due to the increasing
need to lower operational costs and rising cost of electricity, various opportunities
to save energy are available in the use of induction motors.
In many situations, greater energy savings can just be achieved by soft measures
such as altering the operation of the machine to minimize the idle operating
time or preventive measures such as maintaining a consistent power quality,
minimizing phase imbalance, maintaining optimum power factor etc. These relatively
low cost measures can yield an improved payback period relative to the use of
an energy saving device.
Yet other measures involve installing energy efficiency motors. The energy efficient
motors, in addition to the savings associated with a cut in energy use, are
more durable than standard motors, requiring fewer repairs and maintenance expenses.
The Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT) requires that general purpose, polyphase,
single speed, squirrel-cage induction motors manufactured for sale in the US
and rated from 1-200 hp meet minimum efficiency standards. The standard also
requires standardized testing and labeling procedures.
An improvement in motor efficiency is just one aspect. The majority of energy
savings opportunities accrue when the motor and the driven equipment is seen
together. Use of efficient transmission system, soft starters, synchronous belts,
variable speed drives can result in enormous savings.
It is a good idea to have an electrical engineer review the electrical system
periodically, especially before installing a new motor or after making changes
to the system and its loads.
For faster realization of energy savings, seeking the help of qualified energy
consultants will be of immense help.
Not the least, a change of thought is a must at all levels of plant engineering
personnel as well as corporate management. The top executives should be alive
to the need to conserve energy and give support to the downstream personnel
to go head; as without the active nod from top, it is difficult to achieve anything
at the lower levels.
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDHonline.com or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered professional engineer. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
