Chemical & Process Technology: Quatitatively compare Variable Speed Control (VSC) with Conventional Flow Control in Pumping system

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Quatitatively compare Variable Speed Control (VSC) with Conventional Flow Control in Pumping system

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Lately, there was a study to minimizing energy consumption and increase life cycle profit for a plant. One of the measures has been identified was to apply Variable Speed Control (VSC) using Variable Speed Drive (VSD). Recent post in Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) helps in Many Aspects (click here), you should be able to aware the benefits of using VSD qualitatively.

In many event, qualitative justification is not 100% convincing and client is always requested detail quantitative justification. Thus, most financial indicators such as life cycle cost, payback period, NPV, IRR, etc shall be estimated to justify if VSC is really make sense to persuade compare to conventional control method. One of the quick way is use a tool, PumpSave, to provide a quick estimation and indication.

What is PumpSave ?

PumpSave is a tool developed by ABB to enables you to estimate energy (money) saving when apply Variable Speed Control (VSC) compare to traditional control such as throttling control, On/Off control and Hydraulic control. In addition, it provides financial indicators (e.g. Payback period, annual saving, NPV, etc) to assess the benefits of adopting Variable Speed Control (VSC).

Simple Operation Steps
It is rather simple to use. With the following actions :

Fill in System and Process parameters
Fill in intended motor rating and operating profile parameters

PumpSave will possibily advise the energy saving for VSD and conventional control method. By providing some commercial value, PumpSave would be able to advise the financial indicator.