ABB HAS ANNOUNCED HIGH-SPEED versions of its ACS880 variable-speed drives designed to improve the efficiency of applications such as turbo blowers and compressors, while enabling optimal utilisation of the frequency converters, even at high output frequencies, thus reducing the need to derate output currents. The air-cooled drives span frame sizes R1–R11 and current ratings up to 880A. Typical applications include water and wastewater, HVACR, food processing, and heavy industries such as pulp and paper. Operating at high speeds (above 120Hz) places special demands on motor controls, such as high switching frequencies, which can reduce output currents. The new drives are claimed to solve these issues and to offer reliable control of motors in applications up to 1.5kHz. One such application is wastewater aeration, where traditional piston or screw compressors are less efficient than high-speed impellers. These impellers can deliver efficiencies up to 45% higher than piston compressors, and up to 25% higher than screw compressors. Their simple mechanics reduce the need for maintenance. High-speed systems can also deliver significant energy savings for food and beverage chillers, as well as for cooling systems for buildings and data centres. In the marine sector, turbo blowers can reduce the energy consumed by ships by creating a carpet of air bubbles between the hull and the water, which reduces water resistance. Other applications include vacuum systems in the pulp and paper industry, industrial compressed air, grinding and polishing machines, turbomolecular pumps, and separators and mixers used in semiconductor, pharmaceutical and food processing. The high-speed drives have built-in line reactors to reduce mains harmonics, thus saving space, reducing the size of control cabinets, and simplifying integration. Optional IP55 protection allows the drives to be installed in distributed layouts, without needing additional protective enclosures. “The ACS880 high-speed drives offer the reliability and adaptability needed for optimised operation to increase energy efficiency, reduce operating costs and minimise environmental impact,” says Juha Saukko, global application manager at ABB Drive Products. www.abb.com TECHNOLOGY n High-speed drives save energy and avoid need to derate outputs High-speed drives are ideal for turbo blowers and compressors that need output frequencies up to 1.5kHz
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