ABB achieve world first with liquid-cooled IE5 SynRM
New liquid-cooled motor said to set the benchmark for energy efficiency and high power output
ABB say they have achieved another world first for their IE5 SynRM (synchronous reluctance motor) series with the launch of a new version that combines the benefits of ultra-premium energy efficiency with highly effective liquid cooling. The new design, they say, sets a new benchmark for high power output and reliability in a compact footprint.
According to ABB, customers in a wide range of industries can use IE5 SynRM liquid-cooled motors to save energy costs and cut emissions in new projects or as a drop-in replacement for less efficient motors. A major advantage of IE5 SynRM liquid-cooled motors is that they are much more efficient than the traditional liquid-cooled induction motors in current use that offer significant potential for upgrading with energy-saving technology.
Energy efficiency is crucial to optimizing the total cost of ownership (TCO) of an electric motor because the cost of the energy to run it throughout its life accounts for around 97% of the motor’s TCO, with the purchase cost accounting for about 2%. IE5 motors are said to have 40% lower energy losses than commonly used IE3 motors, making the payback time for selecting an IE5 instead of an IE3 motor often less than one year.
Reliability is improved by highly effective cooling combined with the cool SynRM rotor and cooling ribs on the bearing assembly that reduce the operating temperature of the bearings. This helps to increase the lifetime of these key components and reduce maintenance needs.
The motors are robust, with tight seals to keep out moisture, dirt, and dust, and a smooth outer surface to prevent dust build-up, making them well suited to demanding applications that require high power density where space is restricted.
Moreover, the motors do not need fans or ventilation, so they do not disturb the surrounding air or release heat into the local environment. And with no fans, the motors also enhance the working environment by reducing noise levels.
Stefan Floeck, ABB division president of IEC low-voltage motors, said: ‘ABB pioneered both SynRM technology and liquid cooling for induction motors. Now we have brought them together in our IE5 SynRM liquid-cooled motor that enables customers to enjoy the benefits of ultra-premium efficiency in an even wider range of applications.’
The high power output of the liquid-cooled IE5 SynRM offers increased design flexibility, allowing a machine to be upgraded to deliver a higher power output within the same footprint, or allowing for a more compact installation footprint while still providing the same output.
The IE5 SynRM liquid-cooled motors are also significantly lighter than competing designs, making them easy to handle and install. A 240kW IE5 SynRM motor in frame size 315 weighs 870kg – almost half the weight of a corresponding IE3 induction motor.
IE5 SynRM liquid-cooled motors are available in frame sizes IEC 200–315 in aluminum frames, with steel available on request. Their versatile design allows the motors to provide superior performance levels over a range of powers from 37kW to 710kW at 400V.
