Case Study
Chemical fume removal is a breeze with Optidrive E3
Problem
Fume removal systems need to ensure they remove potentially dangerous chemical fumes. However, they can also be high users of energy and so a system that ensures safety but reduces energy costs can help deliver the perfect result.
Solution
Fume cupboards were fitted exhaust fans controlled by Optidrive Eco HVACs. The Optidrive Eco is used to vary the speed of the exhaust fan according to feedback from the fume exhaust controller situated in the fume cupboard. Using variable torque characteristics, the HVAC mode exploits the comparatively large drop in power consumption that is associated with a small reduction in fan speed and thereby maximises energy savings without compromising performance.
Labquip S Pte Limited
Labquip (S) Pte Ltd has successfully installed 133 fume removal systems at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, an organisation that is ranked among the top 20 technology universities in the world today.
In this application, each of the American Labconco fume cupboards were fitted with a Swiss Colasit exhaust fan controlled by an Optidrive Eco HVAC variable speed drive. The key requirements are to provide completely reliable removal of potentially dangerous chemical fumes whilst minimising the energy costs associated with this process.
The Optidrive Eco is used to vary the speed of the exhaust fan according to feedback from the fume exhaust controller situated in the fume cupboard. The Optidrive Eco makes it incredibly simple to programme acceleration and deceleration times of the fan in order to maintain an accurate air velocity at the face of the fume removal hood. It also allows quick set up of maximum and minimum air flows to suit each application.
Maintaining an optimum fan speed ensures an energy efficient fume extraction. However the Optidrive Eco also has an HVAC mode of operation which allows even greater energy savings to be achieved compared to a standard inverter. Using variable torque characteristics, the HVAC mode exploits the comparatively large drop in power consumption that is associated with a small reduction in fan speed and thereby maximises energy savings without compromising performance.
Roland Cheong at Labquip (S) Pte Ltd confirms: "Optidrive Eco is already giving us a significant competitive edge. As we exploit more of the innovative features offered with the Optidrive Eco we anticipate even greater uptake of the product. In fact, a second university has already ordered 50 units."
