Abstract : This paper introduces the application of high-pressure variable frequency speed control technology in various pumps of the company, including distillation (I) bottom pumps, coking furnace radiation pumps, solvent extraction raw material pumps, deasphalting oil solution pumps, and solvent pumps, as well as the benefits obtained. It also discusses the issues that should be noted when applying this technology and the application prospects of high-pressure variable frequency technology.
1 Introduction
Variable frequency drive (VFD) technology is currently recognized worldwide as one of the most energy-saving technologies for motors. Due to its significant energy-saving benefits, high speed control accuracy, wide speed range, comprehensive protection functions, ease of automatic control, safe and reliable operation, and simple installation, use, and maintenance, VFD technology has been widely applied in various industries and has become the latest technology for motor speed control. The application of this technology in the petrochemical system began in the 1990s, and it has now become a key promotion project for the head office. Since 1994, our plant has achieved excellent results by installing variable frequency drives (VFDs) on the motors of low-pressure pumps in the main equipment. With the promotion and application of VFD technology for low-pressure motors, the focus of energy saving has shifted to high-pressure motors. Taking the refining system of the Guangzhou branch as an example, the main pumps of the unit, such as the raw material pumps, heating furnace feed pumps, and bottom pumps, have large capacities and are generally driven by high-pressure motors. This part accounts for about 50% of the unit's power consumption. Without implementing VFD control on the high-pressure motors, it is difficult to further reduce power consumption. Therefore, from 1998 to 2000, we began to apply VFD technology to some high-pressure motors in the refining unit.
2. An attempt to install variable frequency speed control technology on high-voltage motors
By 1998, high-voltage variable frequency speed control technology had basically matured, creating conditions for installing variable frequency drives on high-voltage motors. However, perfectly harmonic-free high-voltage frequency converters were expensive, generally only economically feasible for large motors of megawatts or above, and uneconomical for small motors. Therefore, most small and medium-capacity high-voltage motors in China adopted a high-low-high power supply method, which involves reducing the high voltage to around 460V and then boosting it to 6000V high voltage output via frequency conversion. For this reason, from 1998 to 1999, the following frequency converters were selected: the bottom pump of the distillation (I) atmospheric pressure tower (P-111/1, 280kW), the coking furnace radiation pump (P-102/1, 350kW), the solvent extraction feed pump (P-101/A, 315kW), and the solvent pump (P-104/A, 300kW). The high-low-high frequency converter was selected from Siemens, Germany. The high-low-high frequency converter was selected from Robicon, USA. The solvent extraction deasphalting oil solution pump (P-103/A, 440kW) was selected from Robicon, USA.
For details, please click: Application of High Voltage Frequency Converters in the Petrochemical Industry
