Voith Turbo Installs First VoreconNX Variable Speed Drive

Voith Turbo has successfully installed and commissioned the first VoreconNX variable speed drive for a U.S. customer, which began using it for its production needs on November 30, 2020. As a next-generation modular variable speed drive that combines a hydrodynamic power transmission with a planetary gear, the VoreconNX delivers low-range power up to 10 megawatts and is particularly well-suited to operate compressors in the power, oil & gas industries.

“The customer was very happy with the performance results from the unit’s commissioning. They clearly see a lot of potential with VoreconNX, having ordered three units in total, due in part to their ease of maintenance that comes from a standardized design and allows part swapping between units,” said Brinnet Paul, senior account manager, Voith Turbo North America.

Prior to delivery, installation and final commissioning at its new home in Louisiana, the VoreconNX unit was tested at Voith’s Crailsheim, Germany, factory where it ran through a series of standardized performance tests including a speed ramping, overspeed protection and defined-load point tests. With the installation complete and the VoreconNX unit in operation, the owner expects to operate the unit for the next five years without shutdown. At that point, it will be taken offline for a routine inspection and maintenance.

“The entire installation and commissioning process went very smoothly despite the area being hit by three hurricanes this year,” added Craig Aggen, senior field service technician, Voith Turbo North America, who also noted the drive not only passed a rigorous test on Voith’s test stand but also an informal vibration test at the site. “We gave it the ‘Coin Test.’ This is where we balance a nickel on its edge on top of the VoreconNX and see if it stays or falls due to vibration. It stayed!”

Voith Turbo North America currently has several other VoreconNX units that have been ordered for use in the U.S. and Canada, with deliveries and commissioning activities coming up in the next two years.

“The units built for the North American market are going to be tested in a lot of varying conditions – from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico – and our customers are very excited to get this next-generation power transmission technology added into their production processes. Once installed, the VoreconNX will boost their operational efficiencies through adjustable pump guide vanes, which offer an improvement of up to eight percent at part load,” said Peter Goretzki, product manager, Voith Turbo. “Beyond its efficiency improvements, ease of maintenance and small footprint, our testing also is showing another key value of the VoreconNX – we’re predicting a mean time between failures of 48 years in long-term operation. That’s a phenomenal number for an industry that values reliable operation.”