Life cycle energy cost assessment for pump units with various types of line-start operating motors including cable losses

Abstract

The paper presents a comparative analysis of life-cycle energy consumption for three different types of 4 kW line-start motors used in a pump unit with throttling: the most widely used induction motor with IE3 efficiency class, line start permanent magnet synchronous motor with IE4 efficiency class and line start synchronous reluctance motor with IE4 efficiency class. The operating cycle for pump units with constant flow is considered for the above-mentioned types of motors taking into account not only the losses in the pump and motor, but also in the power supply cable. It is shown that the line start synchronous reluctance motor without magnets has the highest efficiency over the entire considered loading range. However, its power factor is lower than that of the synchronous motor with magnets and therefore it has more significant losses in power supply cable. Despite this disadvantage, the line-start reluctance motor is a good alternative to widespread induction motor since it allows saving of approximately 4000 euro more than the latter during the 20 years life cycle. It also provides similar savings in comparison to the permanent magnet synchronous motor, but unlike it, it does not have costly rare-earth materials in the rotor. © 2020 by the authors.