Ebm-papst updates heat-rejection systems
When the fans cooling the condensers serving three of Dresden’s most famous buildings were damaged by flooding from the River Elbe, they were replaced with fans having electronically commutated DC motors from Ebm-Papst — eliminating noise problems and reducing energy consumption.
Following the destruction of the heat rejection system serving the Zwinger, Semper Opera House and the Semper Gallery and Palace in Dresden, it has been replaced with new equipment that includes electronically commutated DC fans made by Ebm-papst. This plant is in a grassy bank and was damaged when the River Elbe burst its banks in 2002. The new condensers incorporate 10 EC fans 800 mm in diameter. There are five in each case on the two condensers made to measure for the project by Thermofin. The original condenser fans protruded slightly from a walled embankment very close to the Zwinger and a popular restaurant. Hennig Astermann of consultant Ökotherm GmbH explains, ‘The old fans were disruptive because of the large amount of noise they produced. The EC fans are very different, and the running noise in non-existent. This is thanks, not least, to the fact that the EC motors do not produce any commutation noise. Also, they can be infinitely regulated, they start up gently and when the condensers have low cooling requirements, operate at a low rotational speed. Peter Otto, senior manager with KKS, which installed the equipment, says, ‘There were several positive aspects favouring the use of EC technology instead of the older, controlled AC technology. ‘The system was very simple to connect and commission because we were using an integrated package instead of assembled components. For each condenser, one EC fan with a pressure sensor serves as a master. The other four fans serve as slaves. ‘Also, motor protection, condensation pressure regulation and redundancy are an integral part of EC fans. ‘A further decisive benefit is the energy-saving effect of EC technology. The EC motors require up to 50% less than conventional motors and are of a comparable price.’
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