Did you know compressed air systems consume between 10 and 30 percent of the total electricity at a typical U.S. industrial facility? Installing a variable speed drive (VSD) controlled air compressor is an excellent way to reduce energy consumption and reduce maintenance costs.
Here are the top three benefits of variable speed drives.
- Reduce energy consumption and energy costs. If an application does not need to be run at full speed, then energy costs can be reduced by controlling the motor with a variable speed drive, which is one of its primary benefits. VSDs allow you to match the speed of the motor-driven equipment to the load requirement. There is no other method of AC electric motor control that allows you to accomplish this task.
Electric motor systems are responsible for more than 65 percent of the power consumption in the industry today. Optimizing motor control systems by installing or upgrading to VSDs can reduce energy consumption in a typical facility by as much as 70 percent. Additionally, the utilization of VSDs improves product quality and reduces production costs. When combining energy efficiency tax incentives and utility rebates, a typical return on investment for a VSD installation can be as little as six months. - Increase production through tighter process control. By operating motors at the most efficient speed for the application, fewer mistakes will occur resulting in higher production levels and higher revenues. Jerks on conveyor and belt start-up are also eliminated, allowing high through-put.
- Extend equipment life and reduce maintenance. Equipment lasts longer and has less downtime due to maintenance when it’s controlled by a VSD, which ensures optimal motor application speed. Because of the optimal control of the motor’s frequency and voltage, the VSD will offer better protection for the motor from issues such as electro-thermal overloads, phase protection, under voltage, overvoltage, etc. VSDs also allow the motor and driven load to start smoothly, which eliminates the “instant shock” of across-the-line starting as well as belt, gear and bearing wear. Finally, VSDs also help reduce and/or eliminate water hammer because of smooth acceleration and deceleration cycles.
Learn more about Atlas Copco’s compressors and vacuum pumps with variable speed drive by visiting the Atlas Copco website or fill out our Request a Quote form and an Atlas Copco representative will be in touch with you shortly. You may also be interested in the following articles:
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Source: Compressed Air Blog