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TMEIC Supplies Large Variable Speed Drives to Nucor's DRI Plant

This is a new plant built to produce direct reduced iron, one of the raw materials used in steelmaking. Two process gas compressors used in the process are powered by large induction motors working with TMEIC’s variable frequency drives.
 
A TMdrive-XL80 variable frequency drive (VFD) powers each of the two 10,200 hp three-phase induction motors, allowing the speed and torque of the two compressors to be varied. In addition, the VFDs provide smooth motor starting with no large current inrush, thus avoiding mechanical and thermal stress to the motor windings.
 
Four-pole variable speed induction motors power each of the two compressors. The nominal motor speed is 1,800 rpm at 60 Hz, running off the 3,600 volt power from the TMdrive-XL80 VFD.  Advantages of TMEIC’s XL80 variable frequency drive include reliability, energy efficiency, high power factor, and low harmonic content in the output.