© November 2016| IJIRT | Volume 3 Issue 6 | ISSN: 2349-6002

Application of Variable Frequency Drive

[Link] R Karpe1, [Link] A Deokar2, [Link] Malwatkar3

Students, Department of Technology, SPPU, Pune, Maharashtra, India1
Professor, Electrical Engineering, Zeal College of Engineering, Pune, Maharashtra, India 2
Professor, E&TC Engineering, Zeal College of Engineering, Pune, Maharashtra, India3

Abstract: By adjusting the frequency and voltage of the since VSI has a low power factor and CSI needed a
motor input, a variable frequency drive (VFD), a form of huge inductor during construction. VFD lengthens the
adjustable speed drive, may regulate the speed and life of the motor. Numerous applications employ VFD
torque of an AC motor. By lowering the amount of
to reduce power consumption. The many uses for VFD
energy that motors use, VFD aids in limiting demand and
are discussed in this study. Cement manufacturing is
electricity consumption. Smooth motor starts and energy
conservation in many industrial applications are one area where VFD is used. Every step of the cement
properties of VFDs. This essay aims to provide readers a manufacturing process uses a VFD. This study
fundamental grasp of how VFDs work and their discusses the necessity for VFDs in the cement
advantages. This paper will also go through some industry. Conveyors need variable speed drives to
fundamental VFD applications in the industrial setting. regulate torque and speed. We also employ VFD in
several of our household appliances. VFD is utilized
Keywords: Variable frequency drive, Cement industry, in air conditioner systems to save electricity. In a
Air conditioner, Irrigation system
document, it is explained how energy may be saved by
employing VFDs. VFDs are applicable to irrigation
I. INTRODUCTION
systems. Using a VFD, it is possible to regulate the
water flow in accordance with the needs. With a VFD,
Drive with variable frequency is a VFD. In addition to
multi-flow pumping is feasible. There are several uses
variable speed drive, adjustable speed drive,
for this. There are many applications where VFD is
adjustable frequency drive, AC drive, micro drive, and
suitable. As it saves lots of amount of energy; it is also
inverter, VFD can also be referred to as. It is a system
used in many industries.
that uses frequency and voltage control to regulate the
speed of an electric motor. The speed of an electric
II. RELATED WORK
motor is directly proportional to frequency. Speed may
be changed to suit needs or applications by altering
I] WORKING PRINCIPLE OF VARIABLE
frequency. The output variable is readily regulated and
FREQUENCY DRIVE:
the process is dependable thanks to VFD. There are
A variable frequency drive converts incoming 50 Hz
several types of variable frequency drives, including
power into DC, then converts to a variable voltage,
voltage source inversion (VSI), current source
variable frequency output. In [1] block diagram of
inversion (CSI), and pulse width modulation (PWM).
variable frequency drive figure is mentioned.
PWM-based VFDs are mostly utilized in industry

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Fig. Variable Frequency Drive

Figure 1 depicts the variable frequency drive block harmonic distortion, 12 or 18 pulse VFD are typically
diagram. Figure illustrates the three stages that make employed to overcome this problem. The converter
up the input converter, DC bus, and output inverter for device changes the three-phase AC power flowing in
a VFD. Diode bridges make up the input converter. A to DC. 3 phase full wave Diode Bridge converter
capacitor and an inductor make up the dc bus. IGBTs design is the most popular.
make up the output converter. Motor and output
inverter are connected. The three phases of a VFD DC bus:
operate as follows: DC bus is the second stage of a VFD. DC buses work
Converter: on the principle of eliminating ripples. The connection
A motor controller or VFD's converter function is its between the converter and inverter is the DC bus. We
initial step. Six diodes comprise the converter. The receive a dc signal at the rectifier circuit's output.
converter is provided with three phase electricity Large numbers of ripples are present in the rectifier
directly. Only one direction of current can be flown via output, therefore the dc bus smoothes the output.
a converter. When a phase voltage from L1, L2, or L3 Additionally, it safeguards the drive. Ripple-free DC
is larger than the other two phase voltages, the diode is present at the DC bus' output.
linked to that phase voltage turns on and the same
principle is applied to the diode's negative side. Six Inverter:
current pulses are produced at the output, hence the Inverter is the final step of a VFD. Transistors
name "pulse 6 VFD" for this device. Building comprise the inverter. Witches who labor for
electrical systems employ 6 pulse VFDs for things like transistors. The most popular type of IGBT utilized in
electronic ballast and uninterruptible power supply, industry is the insulated gate bipolar transistor. If one
among other things. VFD may be set up as either a 12 of the top three switches is closed, the electric motor's
or 18 pulse VFD. Since 6 pulse VFD has greater phase will be linked to the positive DC bus, making

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the voltage there positive. The bottom switches involved simultaneous changes in stator voltage and
operate under the same principles, and for these frequency. The flow of the air gap is constant. V/f ratio
switches, the phase receives a negative DC bus and the does not change as frequency and voltage change
voltage on that phase goes down. The phase and simultaneously.
rotation of an electric motor may be varied by turning
on switches in any order. Phase voltage may then be 4) V/F control in a closed loop
made positive, negative, or zero, and variable The feedback mechanism is utilized in closed loop V/F
frequency is produced. Because frequency and motor control. The measured and reference speeds of the
speed are intimately correlated, motor speed can vary electric motor are contrasted. Voltage and frequency
depending on the application or necessity. So an are adjusted to maintain a consistent V/F ratio in
inverter is a device that converts filtered DC power accordance with the difference between the two
into AC power, which is then supplied to an attached speeds. Electric motor speed is measured using a
electric motor. sensor, and the frequency is changed using a frequency
controller. Proportional controllers are typically
SPEED CONTROL METHODS: employed. By adjusting the width of a fixed signal, the
The methods used to control speed of electric motors aforementioned control methods employ pulse width
are as follows: modulation to modify speed. Frequency may be
1) V/F control changed by changing the breadth of a given signal.
In an electric motor, the frequency and air gap flux PWM gives the transistors or switches utilized in the
have a direct relationship to the voltage produced in inverter block's firing angle. The triangle wave is
the stator. When frequency is decreased while keeping compared to the reference signal using PWM to
voltage constant, air gap flux increases. This is a produce the firing angle. PWM-based generators
negative outcome. In order to change speed, we must predominate in industries.
maintain a consistent V/F ratio. The V/F method
makes use of a mechanism that enables several motors III. APPLICATIONS OF VARIABLE
to be linked to a single VFD. The advantages of V/F FREQUENCY DRIVE
control approaches include low beginning current and
a wide speed range. Where accurate speed regulation 1] Variable frequency drive in cement industry
operator is required, V/F control mechanism is not Clay and limestone are the two main components of
employed. cement. These substances are combined after being
ground into a fine powder. Every step of the cement
2) V/F and an encoder manufacturing process uses a VFD. The speed of fans,
V/F with encoder is utilized to have exact speed mills, conveyors, etc. is managed by VFD. Efficiency
regulation. High reference frequency is offered by the in speed control, minimal power losses, energy
encoder. Speed regulation therefore depends on the savings, low pollution, and large economic savings are
encoder's response. However, because this approach is all results of the control process using variable
expensive, it is not frequently employed. frequency drives.
1) The process of manufacturing cement is depicted in
3) V/F control using an open loop the following figure.
In industries, open loop V/F control is utilized to
provide dynamic speed response. This approach

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Fig.2 Block diagram of Cement making Process

Block schematic of cement manufacturing process is The fan RPM is optimized by the VFD so that it
shown in Fig. 2. Limestone and clay are the primary perfectly matches the system operating circumstances.
basic materials used to make cement. As illustrated in 2. Conveyors
the diagram, there are many processes in the cement- Both raw and finished materials are handled by
making process. Crushing, preliminary mixing, and conveyor. Conveyors are continually utilized during
grinding of raw ingredients are these processes. To the cement manufacturing process, increasing the
stop additional chemical reactions, clinkerization is likelihood of a conveyor breaking down. It raises the
the process of cooling. Cement undergoes its final expense of operations. Extending the belt's lifespan
grinding after clinkerization. Cement transportation is and availability is crucial for lowering operational
the final stage in the production of cement. Parts make expenses. Conveyors may be accurately torqued and
up the cement industry's total process. There are two speeded up using variable speed drives. This lessens
portions, as follows: the strain on mechanical equipment, particularly at
1. Induced Draft Fan for Cement Kiln start-up and stopping but also during operation and
2. Conveyors maintenance, such as gearboxes, pulleys, and belts.
1. Induced Draft Fan for Cement Kiln The conveyors' speed may be adjusted using a VFD to
Throughout the operation, it is necessary to maintain meet production capacity, reducing wear and
control over the process requirements. Previously, maximizing energy efficiency. Run the engine for
speed was controlled using dampers, vanes, and maintenance checks, belt replacements, repairs, or to
variable slip clutches. However, they have drawbacks prevent ice buildup.
including excessive power consumption and ongoing
maintenance. VFD is utilized to get around this 2] Variable frequency drive in air conditioner
problem. The benefits of the cement business are The output flow of a centrifugal pump or fan is directly
discussed in [2]. proportional to its speed, the output pressure is directly
i Upkeep of a constant operating temperature, less fan proportional to the square of the speed, and the output
noise, and preservation of priceless floor space in the power is directly proportional to the cube of the speed,
plant. according to the theory of fluid mechanics. From this,
ii The ID fan may have a power of several thousand it is clear that altering the speed of the pump and fan
horsepower, and controlling airflow with a drive can will allow us to change the output power of both
save a lot of energy. devices. Cooling water system closed-loop control

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block is a feature of the air conditioning system. With outflow, the supply is really needed at a rate of
a maximum temperature differential of 5°C, the 3°C/5°C, or 60%. ByBy using VFD we can control
standard circulating water temperature for the system speed of the pump to 60% of its rated speed which
is 12°C intake and 7°C outflow. If there is a 3°C ultimately saves the energy.
temperature differential between the intake and

Fig.3 Block diagram of air conditioner system using VFD

Display, Microcontroller, electrical power, refers to inverter. LCD is used to display the current and set
temperature gates driver circuit Keyboard and temperature [3].
induction motor. Utilizing VFD (seven level inverters)
is one approach to conserve energy in an air 3] Variable frequency drive in irrigation system
conditioning system. It is indicated in [3] that the VFD aids farmers in irrigation applications by
system's block diagram. The rectifier circuit receives enabling them to regulate or change the flow's pressure
230V of ac power from this source. By using a rectifier in accordance with their needs. Various flow variances
circuit, ac is changed into dc. The induction motor can be controlled.
receives this controlled dc voltage, which is then sent One pump, several head duty points
to the seven-level inverter that generates pure sine A VFD may be used to irrigate various regions with
waves. The PWM sequences are generated by the various water flow needs. Most irrigation systems,
microcontroller using the temperature information that including micro/drip, sprinkler, and center pivot, may
has been provided. The phase controlled rectifier and be equipped with VFDs. The irrigated area can be split
seven-level inverter's output are the only ones that the into a number of zones in fixed block systems, such as
PWM sequences, in turn, regulate. To properly operate micro irrigation, and each zone may have a distinct
the switches in the gate driver circuit, In turn the PWM pressure demand. For instance, if different zones
sequences only control the output of the phase require various pressure levels, the VFD will adjust the
controlled rectifier and Seven- level inverter. Gate pump speed to meet the demands of the valves as they
driver circuit is used to efficiently drive the switches function in their respective zones.
in the phase controlled rectifier and Seven-level

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III. CONCLUSION [8] Amresh kumar Ray, Kaushal Prasad, Nitish

Kumar, ”The application of Variable frequency Drive
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