Weg wins Outotec sulphuric acid plant MV motors contract 24 February 2011

Electric motors giant Weg is nearing completion of a major contract to supply sulphuric acid plant engineering firm Outotec with 21 MV (medium voltage) motors and associated equipment.

The deal centres on slip ring motors up to 5,200kW, and includes 24 transformers, six liquid rheostat starters, as well as project management to install and commission the package.

The equipment is being installed and commissioned in the world's largest sulphuric acid production facility, currently under construction at Ras Az Zawr, a mining and industrial city in Saudia Arabia.

One of the key activities within the Ras az Zawr zone is processing of phosphates for use in fertilisers. This involves phosphate concentrate being processed in a fertiliser production facility, consisting of a phosphoric acid plant, a sulphuric acid production facility, an ammonia plant, a DAP granulation plant and co-generation and desalination plants.

To-date Weg Germany has supplied the 21 MV motors, comprising six MAW710 5,200kW 4p 13.8kV 60Hz, six MGW450 1,400kW 2ph 4.16kV 60Hz and nine HGF400 620kW 6p 4.16kV 60Hz – as used in the mining, marine and oil and gas industries.

The MGWs and HGF motors are to be used in the boiler feed water and circulation pumps of the sulphuric acid plant. The higher power MAW units drive the main blowers in the plant. Weg decided to use slip ring motors, controlled by liquid rheostat starters, for this application, as the blower inertia was large and starting current was an issue.

The benefit of starting the main blowers in this way, explains Weg, is that the user can control the starting current of the blowers, at the same time handling the very high torques involved.

In addition to the motors and starters, 24 Weg transformers are being used to supply and condition electricity to all types of equipment across the plant, including the MV motors.

Brian Tinham

Related Companies
WEG Electrical Motors (UK) Ltd

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