Reducer to Direct Drive Energy Savings?
Reducer to Direct Drive Energy Savings?
(OP)
We are currently operating a 1655GPM slurry pump at 706rpm with 75' of head. A GE AC2000 drive runs the 400hp 460v motor at about 130A (30%). We are looking into removing the reducer and direct-coupling a 150hp motor to run more efficiently (estimated 10% increase just in the motor, not sure about the reducer). This pump runs 24/7 except about 3 weeks out of the year.
Is the payback in energy savings worth purchasing a $7000 motor and possibly a $5000 drive plus the time involved to convert this pump?
Thank you for any help or suggestions!
Is the payback in energy savings worth purchasing a $7000 motor and possibly a $5000 drive plus the time involved to convert this pump?
Thank you for any help or suggestions!





RE: Reducer to Direct Drive Energy Savings?
RE: Reducer to Direct Drive Energy Savings?
RE: Reducer to Direct Drive Energy Savings?
RE: Reducer to Direct Drive Energy Savings?
That doesn't mean the system NEEDED the extra torque, I'm just pointing out that you may not be aware that the original engineer may have factored that into the design.
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RE: Reducer to Direct Drive Energy Savings?
Remember that the motor hp is proportional to the running speed divided by rated speed ratio. For example, you can't pick a 125hp motor rated for 1200rpm and then expect it to produce 120hp @ 706rpm since it would only produce 73hp.
RE: Reducer to Direct Drive Energy Savings?
I.e. does the pump need to run at a much higher power level during startup?
Does the slurry get drastically more viscous at a different temperature or concentration, neither of which have been encountered recently?
Was the pump/motor selected for a different product, which will never be handled again?
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA