ABB will provide a medium voltage drive system, valued at $12m, for an overland coal conveyor at a new export terminal being built by Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group (NCIG).
NICG says the new terminal will allow the coal exports from the Newcastle and Hunter region of NSW to be increased. It will be constructed at Newcastle Port, Kooragang Island.
According to NICG, the project represents the largest single stage development of a new coal terminal of this magnitude in the world.
ABB says its conveyor drive solution consists of sixteen ACS 1000i variable speed drives with integrated transformers and sixteen 3.3kV high-voltage process performance motors, providing a total of 16.5MW of installed power. The drives will be housed within six air-conditioned and dust resistant transportable rooms.
According to ABB, the ACS 1000i drives offer improved productivity and energy efficiency, increased equipment availability and one of the lowest part counts when compared with similar medium voltage drives.
The ABB ACS 1000i drives use an advanced power semiconductor switching device known as the Integrated Gate Commutated Thyristor (IGCT), which results in this lower parts count. The company claims it provides a statistically lower risk of failure than some other medium voltage drive semi-conductor devices.
According to ABB, the motors feature the lowest operational noise rating, which assists in meeting the demanding Environmental Protection Authority operational noise level standards. It also eliminates harmonics and voltage reflections, which can damage the motors and networks.
ABB says the ACS 1000i variable speed drives are equipped with integrated input transformers, which reduces costs and simplifies installation. Interlocking doors, input isolators, DC bus grounding switches and output motor cable ground switches also offer substantial operational safety benefits.
NICG says the new coal terminal is required to meet the export requirements of new coal projects over the next five to ten years. It will become the third in the Port of Newcastle and will feature rail, stockyard and shipping facilities. It will have a coal throughput capacity of 30Mt per annum and is planned to start operations in 2010.
Add your comments