Chapter One: 1.1 What Are Dewatering Pumps?
Chapter One: 1.1 What Are Dewatering Pumps?
Chapter One: 1.1 What Are Dewatering Pumps?
INTRODUCTION
A dewatering pump is a centrifugal pump that is used whenever you need to remove water. The
pump can be used at construction sites, in tunnels and mines and also in buildings where you need
to remove unwanted water. But in this project dewatering pump is used to remove excess water
of dewatering, the production line will typically see a more efficient working condition.
A safe working environment: Poorly controlled groundwater will have negative impacts on the
safety of production operations. Water springing forth from the filler and pasteurizer region can
cause flooding of the production area if the water is not pumped out.
Reduction of cost
In electrical engineering, a switch is an electrical component that can break an electrical circuit,
interrupting the current or diverting it from one conductor to another. A change over switch can
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Usually, changeover switches are designed to transfer loads from one source of power (main power
supply) to a generator system (auxiliary power supply) once the main power fails. In this project
however, the change-over switch is employed to transfer a single power supply source to two
The aim of the project was to successfully install and commission a 132KW dewatering pump
motor at the first bench of Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) by taking its power source through a
change over switch. The change over switch was meant to transfer power to another 250KW motor
at the second bench. With this installation, the two pumps could not be operated at the same time
1391A)
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Chapter Two
LITERATURE REVIEW
An electric motor is an electro-mechanical devise that converts electrical energy into mechanical
energy. It performs the reverse operation of a generator which converts mechanical energy to
electrical energy. A simple electric motor can be built using a coil of wire that is free to rotate
between two opposite magnetic poles. When an electric current flows through the coil, the coil
Motors are classified into DC and AC motors based on the type of supply that powers the motor.
Dc motors run on DC supply while AC runs on AC supply. DC motors are sub-classified as: Brush
DC motors (BDC) and Brushless DC motors (BLDC). The major difference between the two is
the use of brushes. BLDC motors do not have brushes and must be electronically commutated.
Commutation is the act of changing the motor phase currents at the appropriate times to produce
rotational torque.
The type of motor installed in this project is a three-phase, squirrel cage induction motor hence
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Motor
DC Motor AC Motor
2.3 AC Motors
In synchronous AC motors, Stator poles rotate at the synchronous speed (Ns) when fed with a
three phase supply. The rotor is fed with a DC supply. The rotor needs to be rotated at a speed near
to the synchronous speed during starting. If done so, the rotor poles get magnetically coupled with
the rotating stator poles, and thus the rotor starts rotating at the synchronous speed. Synchronous
motor excitation refers to the DC supply given to rotor which is used to produce the required
magnetic flux.
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Synchronous motors are not as widely used as induction motor because their rotors are more
complex and are not self-starting as they require exciters. They have to be brought up to
synchronous speed but once they are locked, the rotor will continuously rotate. Synchronous
motors are however used in large industrial applications where their ability to provide leading
power factor helps to support or stabilize voltage and to improve overall power factor. This is
because a synchronous motor can be adjusted to lagging, unity or leading by varying the excitation,
whereas, an induction motor always runs at lagging power factor. They are also preferred in
systems which require electric motors ratings higher than several hundred of kilowatts.
Here, the stators are designed to produce a rotating magnetic field. Power is sent to the outer coils
that make up the stator. The coils are energized in pairs, in sequence, producing a magnetic field
The magnetic field is constantly changing (because it’s rotating) so, it induces an electric current
inside the rotor. This induced current also produces its own magnetic field and according to Lenz’s
law, it tries to stop whatever it is that causes it- the rotating magnetic field- by rotating as well.
The theoretical speed of the rotor in an induction motor depends on the frequency of the AC supply
and the number of coils that make up the stator and, with no load on the motor, comes close to the
speed of the rotating magnetic field. In practice, the load on the motor also plays a part- tending to
slow the rotor down. The greater the load, the greater the “slip” between the speed of the rotating
Induction motors can be classified based on the input supply into single phase induction motor and
three phase induction motor. Depending on the type of rotor used, the three phase induction motors
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are classified as: Squirrel cage induction motor and Slip ring or wound or phase wound induction
motor
We classify starting methods for squirrel cage induction motor into two types on the basis of
voltage. The two types are (i) Full voltage starting method and (ii) reduced voltage method.
2.4.1 Full Voltage Method: The method use here is called Direct on Line Starting Method. In
this method we directly switch the stator of the three phase squirrel cage induction motor on to the
supply mains. The motor at the time of starting draws very high starting current (about 6 to 7 times
the full load current) for the very short duration. The amount of current drawn by the motor
depends upon its design and size. But such a high value of current does not harm the motor because
of rugged construction of the squirrel cage induction motor. Such a high value of current causes
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Fig 3: Circuit Diagram of a DOL starter
In reduced voltage method we have different types of starting method which include stator-resistor,
soft-starter, auto transformer, start delta and variable speed drive methods.
We can employ all the methods for starting of the squirrel cage induction motor in order to start
the wound rotor motors. However the cheapest method is called the addition of external resistances
in rotor circuit.
The addition of external resistances in the rotor circuit will decrease the starting current, increases
the starting torque and also improves the power factor. The circuit diagram is shown below: In the
circuit diagram, the three slip rings shown are connected to the rotor terminals of the wound rotor
motor. At the time of starting of the motor, the entire external resistance is added in the rotor
circuit. Then the external rotor resistance is decreased in steps as the rotor speeds up, however the
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motor torque remain maximum during the acceleration period of the motor. Under normal
condition when the motor develops load torque the external resistance is removed.
The supplied centrifugal pump determined the capacity of the motor drive that was ordered from
Pump model: SPP -AM40B; Pump operating speed: 970rpm, 50Hz; Impeller: 540/453 (mm);
Minimum flow rate: 0 m3/h; Maximum flow rate: 2708.9 m3/h; Minimum power: 70KW; Peak
power: 193.4KW; Peak efficiency: 84.2%; Density: 998.2 Kg/m3; Liquid: water, Temperature:
200C.
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With these parameters, the drive motor rpm was to be within the range 950 and 1000, while the
KW rating of the motor was specified to be 130KW. Failure to adhere to the stated rpm will cause
the electric motor to draw excessive current if the motor rpm exceeds 1000 while it will reduce the
In choosing cables to be used, the following factors were considered: The ability of the cable to
• Provide the motor with a suitable voltage (and avoid excessive voltage drops) by
considering the length of the cable from the change-over switch to the motor.
• Withstand the worst short circuits currents flowing through the cable
With 130KW three phase induction motor, the load current will be:
From the reference table ( Current ratings compiled from BS 7671 : 2008 Requirements for
Electrical Installations: IEE Wiring Regulations 17th Edition ), a PVC 95mm2 X 4C cable will
carry current up to 289A at ambient temperature of 300c. This cable has a voltage drop of
0.45mV/A/m. With a distance of approximately 50m, the voltage drop would be 50 X 0.45 =
22.5mV/A
If the current is at full load of 226A, the voltage drop is then 226 X 22.5 = 5.1 V According to
IEEE rule B-2, at any point between power supply terminal and installation, Voltage drop should
not increase above 2.5% of provided (supply) voltage. Here, the supply voltage is 415V and the
2.5% is 10.4V Therefore, the voltage drop of 5.1V is within acceptable value.
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2.6.3 Change-over Switch Selection
While selecting the appropriate size, the control of arcing was put into consideration. This was
done by selecting the one whose contact was made in such a way as to limit the arc formation by
having no contact-bounce and by having contacts made of good conductive, corrosion resistance
Since it was meant to switch between two loads, the load current of both drives were considered.
Considering the two values, a much larger switch of rating 630A was selected.
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Chapter Three
This is the stage where the actual implementation of the project design was carried out.
It started with getting the right size of the transfer switch that will be able to accommodate the
The rating of the changeover switch used was 630A with the Rated impulse-withstand voltage
(Uimp) of 20kV, Ue = 415V 50/60Hz. The SIRCOVER changeover switch has an improved on
The supply cable to the changeover switch was coming from the visible cut-off switch (VCS).
Originally, the cable goes directly to the 250KW pump motor terminal. It is now meant to serve
as the supply cable to the changeover switch. There was then the need to run two different types
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of cables from the changeover switch to the existing 250KW pump motor and to the newly installed
132KW motor.
The process of laying cables was divided into two stages which are: (1) laying the cables from the
visible cut-off switch (VCS) to the change-over switch (2) Running of the load cables to the
The distance of the VCS to the change-over switch was estimated to be 20m. The cable (240mm2X
4C PVC) was laid through a cable tray to the switch. A stainless cable strap was used to clip the
cable to the tray to prevent dangling and falling off the tray. The size of the cable is enough to
withstand the current of either of the two loads that the change-over switch was meant to serve.
Because the change-over switch location was at the second bench, the cable that will take supply
to the 132KW motor which is at the first bench must pass through the water if a suitable platform
is not provided. Passing of cables through water is dangerous not only to personnel working on
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site but also the equipment as it could lead to short circuit thereby damaging the windings of the
motor.
The size of the cable as obtained from the requirement was 95mm2X4 core PVC cable. The other
pump (250KW) is located near the change-over switch and was powered through a 240mm2 X 4-
core cable.
The cable insulation and phase-to-phase resistances were properly meggered and the results
Having properly laid the cables via the cable trays, the next task was to terminate the cables at the
terminals of the motors and the changeover switch. Both ends of the cables were properly lugged
The changeover switch has three stable positions (I-0-II) which are not affected by voltage drops
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The two loads are connected separately on terminals I and II while the supply cable is terminated
on the common point. M8 bolt and M8 nut were used to properly terminate the cables on the switch
terminals.
At OFF position, the supply cable has no link with either of the two loads while at the ON position
I, it supplied the 132KW motor. The ON position II supplies the 250KW motor. The connection
415V
supply
250KW 132KW
pump newly
Fig 8: Circuit diagram of the change-over switch installed
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Fig 9: Overview of the change-over switch panel
This stage began with the preparation of the support/stand for the motor. Having fabricated a
pontoon on which the entire pump and the motor will be mounted, a proper base was provided for
the motor.
The motor was then tested for its insulation resistance values and winding resistance.
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Winding resistance: R-Y = 50MΩ R-G = 50MΩ G-Y = 45MΩ
The values obtained were satisfactory and therefore the motor was connected as specified on the
nameplate. From the nameplate, the motor must be connected in delta if the supply voltage is
415V, 50Hz. The rated rpm is 992 with the rated current being 236A and cos Ø = 0.82.
After proper terminations were ensured, the motor was test run on no-load for thirty minutes. The
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Current in Amps
current
MNDE- 34.60C
MDE- 34.60C
After satisfactory running of the motor on No-load, the pump was connected through the fenaflex
coupling to the motor. On energizing the drive, the centrifugal pump ran effectively as desired
with a balance current of 180A across the phases. Vibration measurement values were also slightly
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Current in Amps
current
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Fig 12: Circuit diagram of Quarry dewatering pumps with the modification
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Chapter Four
CONCLUSION
The installation of the 132KW dewatering pump motor was successfully completed. The change-
This installation will guarantee high efficiency of production operation as the desired level of
dewatering will be continually met at any period of the year. This will in turn enhance the entire
production plant operation as their will be less downtime arising from waterlogged.
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REFERENCES
www.articlesng.com
14. Requirements for Electrical Installations: IEE Wiring Regulations 17th Edition, 2008
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APPENDIX 1: BILL OF ENGINEERING MEASUREMENT AND EVALUATION (BEME)
S.NO Description Unit Qty Rate Amount(N)
Socomec Sircover Change-over switch 630A,
1 LS 1 450,563.50 450,563.50
type I-O-II, Ue:415V, 50/60Hz
ABB Electric Motor M3BP 315MLA 6B3,
2 speed: 992 RPM, 132KW, 415V, 236A, 0.82 LS 1 1,733,362.20 1,733,362.20
pf.
Cable unarmoured 95mm2 X 4 Core Copper
3 M 70 9,184.00 642,880.00
Cable
4 50X50X6mm Angle iron LS 15 5,529.00 82,935.00
5 6013 2.5X 350mm Electrode LS 1 4,535.70 4,535.70
18 TOTAL 4,305,034.80
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