Variable speed drives for fume extraction

ABB has won a £1.6m order from Outokumpu for variable AC drives for the fume extraction system at its Sheffield plant.

The project sees ABB supply four 1.2 MW fan drive systems to provide fume extraction for Outokumpu's stainless melting and continuous casting (SMACC) facility. Each package will consist of an ABB industrial drive, a transformer and an ABB high voltage motor. The systems will provide fume extraction for the melting shop generally and for individual units such as the electric arc furnace and the argon oxygen decarburiser.

Replacing the existing direct-on-line motors, the variable speed drive fans will produce significant energy savings and achieve an annual saving in CO2 of over 5,000 tonnes. David Cobley, engineering manager for the SMACC facility, says: "This is a significant investment by Outokumpu and demonstrates the company's commitment to improving the energy efficient of its plant and its commitment to the environment by reducing CO2 emissions". This was also big factor in choosing ABB. The company is also a proven supplier of excellent equipment as well as a reliable installer."

The contract includes the supply of four motor bedplates, removal of old equipment, a service contract, project management, integration of control equipment and an extended 36 month warranty. Installation is scheduled for late July and early August 2010.