In a case study conducted in an Indian cement plant, ABB ACS 1000 variable speed drives helped the plant save a lot of energy and improve productivity.
The ACS 1000 is ABB's medium‑voltage variable speed drive designed for cement plant fans such as bag‑house, raw‑mill, cement‑mill and pre‑heater fans. It provides a full 0‑100 % speed range and uses IGCT power semiconductors for robust operation.
Key benefits include up to 20 % energy savings, lower harmonic distortion, soft‑start capability that eliminates starting‑current peaks, and improved equipment lifetime. The drive features a three‑level voltage‑source inverter, water cooling options up to 6.6 kV, and a network power factor greater than 0.95.
| Speed range | 0 - 100% |
|---|---|
| Network power factor | >0.95 |
| Inverter type | Three‑level Voltage Source Inverter (VSI) |
| Motor type | Induction motor |
It can reduce fan energy consumption from about 90 kWh per ton of cement to roughly 70 kWh per ton.
The drive acts as a soft starter with no starting‑current peaks, lowering stress on electrical equipment and reducing maintenance costs.
The ACS 1000 provides a full speed range from 0 % to 100 %.