The Utile “Smart Drive” system is designed to provide maximum efficiency and a more flexible approach to gas boosting. Within most gas operated plant there tends to be a fluctuating system load, whether due to equipment having variable demand or numerous items of plant drawing gas at different times.
Fixed speed gas booster sets are sized for maximum gas load at maximum pressure differential, but spend the majority of their lives operating at reduced load conditions continually absorbing more power than is necessary. Therefore, it operates at the “back of the performance curve” in turndown condition where the boosted pressure increases, causing higher bearing and gas temperatures, and in some cases surge.
The Utile ‘Smart Drive’ system is designed to sense the variations in gas pressure due to changes in demand and as a consequence adjusts the operating speed to obtain the optimum efficiency and pressure requirement at all times.
The flexibility of the ‘Smart Drive’ system allows it to be used in conjunction with all Utile products in applications where cost and efficiency savings can be achieved. ‘Smart Drive’ operates in single or duty/standby systems, throughout our range of single and multistage gas boosters and our positive displacement gas compressors, often reducing the need for costly gas cooling systems.
Smart Drive: Features and Advantages
• IP54 standard with option for IP66 outdoor version
• Power saving – lower operating speed means reduced drawn load
• Reduced Maintenance time and cost – extended bearing life through lower operating speeds
• Planned maintenance cycles and annual inspection notice
• Timed on/off periods (built in time clock)
• Fault diagnosis for remote or out of hours operation
• 1 phase input, 3 phase output up to 2.2kW, to allow use of 3 phase motors in 1 phase locations
• 24 volt control voltage for safer operation
• ABB variable speed control with 3 line digital display and user friendly menu options
• Fieldbus Interface to Profibus, DeviceNet, Can Open, Modbus RTU and Ethernet
