Nidec Leroy-Somer delivers an efficient solution for large fan

When Danish ventilation fan manufacturer Novenco needed an electric motor to drive the largest fan in its ZerAx range, it turned to Nidec Leroy-Somer.

The fan was specially designed for the extraction of the carbon dioxide in a German backfill mine. The objective was to supply the most climate-neutral solution. Thanks to its IE5 highly efficient synchro-reluctant Dyneo+ motor, Nidec Leroy-Somer was able to meet the challenge.

With more than 70 years of experience, Novenco Building and Industry, a member of the Schako Group, ranks among the world leaders in design, development and manufacture of ventilation products and systems on the technological forefront of performance and durability. The company provides a vast choice of energy-efficient and life safety ventilation systems worldwide, which are well-known for uncompromising quality and the highest standards within a wide range of industries.

With focus on a sustainable green solution for the latest renovation project of the Teutschenthal backfill mine in Germany, operated by GTS (Grube Teutschenthal Sicherungs), in the Geiger Group, the Novenco ZerAx axial flow fan was approved as an obvious choice.

Since the mining of potash and rock salt was stopped in 1982, the mine is used to store every year more than 200,000 tons of mineral waste materials produced by municipal and industrial plants. By using the cavities for the environmentally friendly and long-term safe disposal of mineral waste at a depth of approximately 700 metres, the backfill mine makes a significant and sustainable contribution to environmental protection.

To improve ventilation systems under the ground intended for removing CO2 from stored mineral waste, the main contractor Jeremias Chimney Systems delivered a specially designed 36 m tall chimney. To support this, Novenco delivered a 2m diameter giant ZerAx fan with efficiency up to 92%, driven by a Nidec Leroy-Somer’s Dyneo+ eco-efficient permanent magnet motor delivering a power output of 220 kW.

Compact, robust and easy to commission, the Dyneo+ permanent magnet-assisted synchronous reluctance motors offer IE5 Ultra Premium efficiency level. With a lowest total cost of ownership, a very short return on investment and low maintenance, Dyneo+ provides a cost-effective, efficient and environmentally-friendly drive solution.

Implementing the Dyneo+ technology means less kWh consumed, fewer raw materials used and lower CO2 emissions. Combined with the ZerAx fan efficiency of up to 92%, 98% recyclability rate and 20+ years of lifetime, this solution is of great benefit to the environment for many years to come.

Compared with an IE3 induction motor, the frame size would be 315 mm and even 355 mm instead of 280 mm with the Dyneo+ motor. As for the weight, it would total 1300 kg in frame size 315, instead of 820 kg, and the efficiency level of the motor powered by drive less than 96.5%.