Archimedean Screws are efficient, low-head, high-volume pumps that have been used for thousands of years. They are particularly useful for pumping liquids with high solids content. Previously it has been thought that inverter control of these Screws didn’t save energy, but we, at IDS have engineered a solution that does produce energy savings, as well … Continue reading →
The first question to ask is: Is it worth it? Repairing Obsolete Variable Speed Drives: Obsolete drives are those that are no longer available to buy, there are no lifecycle services available and replacement parts can be very difficult to obtain. ABB drives are workhorses, they last and last, especially when they are well maintained. … Continue reading →
In this article, Blaise Ford, MD of Inverter Drive Systems, answers a question we are frequently asked: Are Inverters Phase Sensitive? Blaise explains: “Inverters take single or three phase mains, rectify it and then chop it up again to give variable frequency, variable voltage output. The three phase rotation, brown-black-grey or brown-grey-black, is lost when … Continue reading →
A steel castings manufacturer in the West Midlands who predominantly supplies the highly cost sensitive, automotive industry with precision castings is set to make significant energy reductions, achieving notable cost savings by fitting ABB Inverters (variable speed drives) across its manufacturing operation. These energy and cost savings were highlighted during a free Energy Efficiency Motor … Continue reading →
Digital technology is helping pump operators to make their systems more resilient, by tackling everything from ragging to turbidity. But even greater developments are around the corner. Whether it’s involved in moving water, sludge or indeed any other substance, a pump’s cargo is always precious. Inefficiency is always unacceptable, and building resilient pump systems that … Continue reading →
Extract fans are in common use to remove harmful dust and fumes or transport material within factories. Whatever their use, they rely on duct air velocity to ensure the material is kept in the airflow and does not settle out and cause a blockage. An Irishman, Sir George Stokes first developed a theorem that related … Continue reading →
Around 80 percent of maximal torque at 90 percent speed is normally considered an efficient duty point for a motor and drive system. However, a more efficient duty point can be found which could benefit a designer tasked with improving a pump system’s efficiency. If you plot motor ISO efficiency curves for various duty points, … Continue reading →
The BBC reported that National Grid has warned that its capacity to supply electricity this winter will be at a seven-year low due to generator closures and breakdowns. Spare electricity capacity, which ran at about 5% over the winter months last year, would be nearer 4% this year, National Grid said. Three years ago the … Continue reading →
A recent Telegraph article claims: Many products that claim to reduce our energy bills are simply expensive gimmicks Whilst this article reviews domestic appliances and energy saving devices, the message is still pertinent for industrial users…. beware, not every gadget, gizmo and appliance will have the levels of energy saving you may be expecting. In fact … Continue reading →
CONTROLLING THE THICKNESS OF SLUDGE AT SOURCE Abstract Primary and co-settled sludges are commonly removed from settlement tanks using timed, pumped, auto-desludge systems that are neither sensitive to the variable flux of settleable influent material nor sense the thickness of the sludge removed, resulting in thin sludge being produced which requires significant thickening before digestion … Continue reading →
