Experimental Testing on an Air-Cooled Condenser Motor, Gearbox and Fan

Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, Stellenbosch University

^* e-mail: 19840918@sun.ac.za
^** e-mail: mpventer@sun.ac.za
^*** e-mail: dnjels@sun.ac.za

Abstract

The majority of South Africa’s electricity is generated from coal-fired power stations. After expansion through the turbine stage the heated steam is condensed by air-cooled condensors (ACCs). In water scarce areas air-cooled condensers are used to reject heat by means of convection through an array of fans that force air over the heated steam tubes positioned in a A-frame structure above the fan. The ACC system consists of an induction motor, two-stage gear reducer and an axial fan. For this research, the rotational velocity of the gearbox’s output shaft is measured as well as the bending and torsional strain experienced during different stages of operation. A proximity sensor and various sets of strain gauges are used to record the measurements respectively. Testing was conducted at three different sites that utilize different control methods for the induction motors. The purpose of testing at different sites was to evaluate the effectiveness of each start-up control system and its application inside an ACC. The results obtained in each of the three cases are quite clear that any motor controller is beneficial to the overall system simply due to the reduced inrush current and torque peaks.