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Starting Methods for Large Electrical Motors on Turbomachinery Packages

  • RATS - Rotating and Turbomachinery Society 8700 84 Street Fort Saskatchewan, AB, T8L 4P5 Canada (map)

TOPIC:

Starting Methods for Large Electrical Motors on Turbomachinery Packages

INSTRUCTOR(S):

DETAILS:

One (1) hour presentation, including up to 15 min. Q&A

DESCRIPTION:

Electric Motor Drives in the power range from 1,000 to 60,000 HP are often used for turbomachinery applications. The electric drive systems used include electric motors with variable frequency drives (VFD), electric motors with variable speed planetary gear hydraulic drives (VSHD), and constant speed electric motors.

Two issues tend to require discussion, and a significant level of expertise to avoid problems:

First, the startup has to be accomplished without exceeding the maximum permissible voltage dip limits at the point of common coupling (PCC). In case of strong supply networks, a direct online start-up usually works. However, safe start-up solutions are also available for weak supply networks by using common starting devices. Torsional transients during the starting process have to be considered.

Therefore, this tutorial presents a rough overview of proven start-up methods for direct online operating electric motor drives. Pros and cons are discussed. Based on a starting by means of a pony-motor, which is connected to a hydrodynamic variable speed planetary gear, the run-up process is discussed in detail. It can be seen that the grid disturbances are negligible especially for synchronous main motors.

Second, the choice of drive impacts the train’s torsional characteristics, shaft endurance limits and operational flexibility. Torsional integrity of the electric motor driven trains are critical to safe and reliable operation, and must be considered during the design, selection and packaging of the train’s key components (motor, gearbox, couplings and the compressors).

This tutorial outlines a methodology used to ensure torsional integrity in standardized Electric-motor-driven gas compressor packages. In addition to steady-state torsional analysis, the drive harmonics from electrical sources (steady-state pulsation) and the drive’s characteristics at fault-events such as phase-to-phase faults (transients) are incorporated into the torsional model to perform a complete torsional analysis. Shaft stresses are evaluated over a wide range of motor frame sizes, and consequently couplings and gearboxes. Couplings and gearboxes are designed to handle the mean torque and peak transient torques as appropriate.

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Asset Management Awareness