Electric Motor Usage, Repair, and Replacement Practices at Kansas Army Ammunition Plant

摘要

A large part of the cost of electricity at the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant (KAAP) is attributed to the operation of electric motors used in the process operations. Electric motor usage, repair, and replacement practices were surveyed to determine if current procedures are cost effective and energy efficient over the life-cycle of the equipment. An inventory of all motors rated greater than one-quarter horsepower was performed. A total of 1,985 motors were inventoried, of which 854 were active and 1,131 were inactive. It was determined that current practices are cost effective. Reduction of energy consumption by replacement of motors with premium priced, higher efficiency motors was examined. Only thirty-one motors qualified for economic replacement when the present motor fails. No motors qualified for immediate replacement since the expected reduction in operating costs could not amortize the cost of a new motor in any reasonable length of time. Standardization of motors and efficiency improvement through application of capacitors and power factor controllers were considered and determined not to be cost effective. Care in specifying replacement motors over the years has resulted in very few motors which are oversized for their application. Corrective action will be taken in these few instances.