Retrofit of a recovery boiler ID fan with a dual channel high reliability LCI drive

Abstract

A dual-channel load-commutating inverter (LCI) drive and synchronous motor was applied, as a retrofit, to drive an existing induced-draft fan on a 1200 ton recovery boiler at Union Camp Corporation's paper mill located in Franklin, Virginia. The fan was originally driven by a steam turbine. For reliability, two channels of fully rated power-conversion equipment were provided. Parallel operation is the normal mode, with automatic transfer to the unfaulted channel when a fault occurs in the channel selected as the primary channel. The application and drive technology is described and discussed in detail. The economics approach and results that justified the retrofit are also described.<>