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More efficient energy use with new motors
Valutec now offers motors with greatly improved efficiency for its lumber kilns. An extensive long-term test has shown that the new motors provide annual savings of just over 7,000 kWh in normal operations, compared to the motors previously fitted in lumber kilns. Also, the service life of the new motors is expected to be more than twice as long.
“They save both money and the climate. The new motors usually pay for themselves in around two years, and when we use less energy, we also decrease our climate impact,” says Joakim Berglund, sales manager at Valutec.
We're talking synchronous reluctance motors with an efficiency of IE5, which is the highest level in the EU's energy efficiency rating for electric motors. In lumber kilns, IE2 and IE3 are the approved levels in common use today.
The greater energy efficiency of the motors also means that they reach significantly lower temperatures during operation, reducing wear and extending service life. Bearing and winding temperature readings show temperatures to be around 20 °C lower.
Since a 10 °C lower temperature is expected to double the service life of a motor, the new motors can be used two to four times longer than those that meet IE2 requirements.
“We recommend the choice of IE5 motors when installing new lumber kilns, and it’s also possible to upgrade your existing kilns with IE5 motors as they are the same size as the earlier motors. And they're easy to install,” says Joakim.
The figures are based on long-term tests carried out over four years during operations at Holmen's sawmill in Bygdsiljum.
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