Electric Drives for Large Compressors

Electric motors for large centrifugal compressor drives may be the best choice due to the increasing scarcity of petroleum for refinery and chemical plant feedstock. In addition to heat balance and investment costs within the process plant, it is possible to secure part of the required energy from coal, hydro, or nuclear power with the electric motor as the link to these energy sources. Motors are available in sizes to meet the needs of the largest compressors now in use, and the technology is available to manufacture whatever size may be required in the future. These large compressor drives may require different approaches for starting than were used in the past.