Laboratory Evaluation and Field Demonstration of High Rotor Switched Reluctance Motor (HRSRM) Technology
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
In this project, a new motor technology based on a novel design called a High Rotor Pole Switched Reluctance Motor (HRSRM) was demonstrated and evaluated. The HRSRM system combines an innovative electric motor design with a programmable variable-speed drive and a controller that provides real time monitoring and cloud-based connectivity. Unlike induction or permanent-magnet motor designs, this motor uses a switched reluctance (SR) design that purports to be simpler to manufacture and more reliable and efficient to operate. Several of the stated benefits of the HRSRM system were evaluated as part of this project. First, the technology is claimed to offer greater energy efficiency than any motor currently on the market. Second, according to the manufacturer, the motor can be dropped into an existing pump or heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning application in less than 30 minutes, and has controls that can be pre-programmed to interact with the application’s existing control structure. Third, the control system allows the HRSRM to replace a constant-speed motor with one that provides variable-speed capabilities without requiring the installation of a variable-speed drive. The evaluation of a 10 hp HRSRM system was conducted in two parts. One portion of the evaluation consisted of performance tests conducted in a tightly controlled laboratory environment in which the performance of the HRSRM system was compared with that of a premium efficiency induction motor with a variable-frequency drive. The other portion of the evaluation was conducted at a field location within a General Services Administration facility in which the HRSRM system replaced an existing motor system in a 10 hp chilled water pump. The performance of the HRSRM system was compared with that of the incumbent motor system that was supplied with the pump from the manufacturer. The overall project and performance objectives for this motor evaluation are defined in Table ES.1.
- Research Organization:
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; US General Services Administration
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-00OR22725
- OSTI ID:
- 3002976
- Report Number(s):
- ORNL/SPR--2019/1092
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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