Integrated Motor-Compressor System
Emission free advanced centrifugal compressor technology with an electric motor driver in a single, completely sealed casing –up to 20 MW and up to 18,000 rpm
The system is driven by high-speed motor and high-frequency drive technology. The pressurized, induction motor includes a laminated rotor with a squirrel cage—a design proven by more than four million operating hours in industry-wide applications.
With Active Magnetic Bearings (AMB) technology, the rotor is levitated by a control system that precisely regulates the rotor spacing to avoid all parts contact and friction. This eliminates the need for lubricant thereby solving the problem of leak-prone lube oil systems used with conventional bearings. The AMB design maintains rotor levitation during starts, normal operation, and stops including emergency shutdowns. Ball bearing back-up allows the machine to stop without damage.
The drive is highly efficient over a very wide operating range, with the same hardware capable of driving the motor at low speeds and all the way up to 300 Hz, then helping reduce power consumption.
For an optimized experience, GE Power Conversion provides you with a process optimization service and real-time simulation for an efficient commissioning.
Benefits
- Compactness: 40–60%smaller than conventional solutions, allowing to answer minimum skid footprint requirements
- Carbon reduction: no dry gas seal leakage from the completely closed case
- Oil-free solution: the AMB technology require no lubrication, so there are no lubricant leaks and no oil to dispose of
- High operational flexibility:
- Wider operating range than conventional compressors: 35-105% of nominal speed versus the typical 70-105%—and the system’s efficiency remains high and stable over the entire range
- High efficiency: 90%+
- Full flexibility available in terms of power demand
- Very high starting and operating reliability and availability: starting time <1 min
- Reduced pipework requirement
- Minimum maintenance period over life cycle
- Low operation maintenance cost
- Suitable for most areas, incl. with limited power availability
