Establishing the “Fitness for Use Criteria” for Pipe Line Variable Frequency Drives

1996 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roy C. Spencer ◽  
Arnold Rivera
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Current Source ◽  
Variable Frequency ◽  
Current Source Inverter ◽  
Technical Requirements ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Variable Frequency Drives ◽  
Pipe Line ◽  
Pump Stations ◽  
Operation Phase

“Fitness For Use”[1] criteria are used to define project quality. This paper documents how to establish the “Fitness For Use” criteria for pipe line variable frequency drives (VFD’s). A Pipe Line VFD project’s life cycle process together with the technical requirements” determine its “fitness for use”. Effective definition and management of these “life cycle requirements”, therefore ensures a quality result. In summary, this paper documents how the “Fitness For Use Criteria” methodology was successfully used on the IPL Capacity Expansion Program to: (a) establish the project process; (b) engineer, procure, construct, commission and start-up the VFD systems; and (c) carry out training plus technically support the pipe line’s early operation phase. The Canadian section of IPL’s Line 13 is powered by eight pump stations containing five 3750 hp and three 6250hp, current source inverter (CSI)[2] based VFDs; this equipment was installed and commissioned in 1994, and has been in operation for 18 months.

Mechanical Vibration Problems With Variable Frequency Drives

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ralph Dickau ◽  
Lal Perera
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Vibration ◽  
Variable Frequency ◽  
Inrush Current ◽  
Variable Speed ◽  
Pump Station ◽  
Variable Frequency Drives ◽  
Pipe Line ◽  
Vibration Problems ◽  
Lateral Resonance ◽  
Power Costs

Variable frequency drives are now frequently used to power large horsepower pipeline pumps to eliminate power costs wasted by throttling, to reduce inrush current on motor start, and to provide greater operating flexibility. This variable speed operation, however, can cause vibration problems in the pump and motor bearings, and in the couplings that are not normally experienced with fixed speed pumps. Enbridge Pipe Line has installed a number of variable frequency drives on units ranging from 2500 to 5000 hp in size and discovered unexpected torsional and lateral resonance vibration in the equipment at certain operating speeds. This presentation discusses the tests that were conducted to determine the source of the vibration, the theoretical analysis of the vibration modes and equipment responses, and the solutions that were implemented to reduce or eliminate the vibration. Recommendations are given for design principles that could be incorporated into the initial pump station design in order to avoid vibration problems with variable speed operation.

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