Variable-speed drives for the oil,

gas and petrochemical industry

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We give 100 % –

even under toughest conditions

Voith Turbo hydrodynamic drives are in service in the oil, gas and petro-

chemical industry under the toughest conditions around the world.

These drives are installed at facilities from production to transporta-

tion to processing. On offshore platforms, natural gas pipelines, crude

oil and liquid pipelines, refineries, petrochemical plants and other

industrial facilities, in the desert, or in arctic environments – Voith

drives are running 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. These environments

require equipment that can operate economically and with maximum

reliability inspite of the difficult operating conditions.

Efficient and reliable drives for controlling pumps

and compressors are a necessity for reduced

operating costs, increased profitability and, above

all, a smooth production process. Variable-speed

drives by Voith Turbo deliver the highest possible

reliability, availability and efficiency. This perfor-

mance is the result of the companies’ continuous

research and development.

Powers of 100 to 50 000 kW and speeds of 100 to

20 000 rpm can be transmitted with Voith hydro-

dynamic variable-speed drives.

Advantages provided

by the hydrodynamic drives■ Reliability of 99.9 %*■ Availability of 99.8 %*■ Highest efficiency■ Optimum price/performance ratio■ Application in explosive and dusty environments

at extreme temperatures■ Very long trouble-free operating periods (MTBF)■ Compact and robust design■ Easy maintenance■ Excellent control accuracy and high control

dynamics■ Vibration damping■ Integrated lube oil system supplying lube oil to

the driver and driven machine■ Availability of spare parts guaranteed for many

years

*calculated on the basis of machines in operation

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Compressor drive unit on oil platform Nam, North Sea, Vorecon type RWE,Power 4 573 kW,Speed 13 211 rpm

Even in toughest conditions

Economic speed control upstream

No matter how tough your requirements are: hot, cold, dust, environ-

ments with explosion hazards – Voith offers an economical and at the

same time reliable solution for every application.

Gas lift compressors and injection pumps

Geared variable-speed couplings and the

Vorecon are used for speed controlling pumps

and compressors in oil or gas production

facilities. If the natural pressure of the field is no

longer sufficient, water or gas is pumped into the

producing formations at high pressures. As a

result, remaining oil or gas is pushed to the

surface. Voith drives provide a stepless control of

the required injection flow and pressure.

Pipeline pumps

In pipelines, pump stations overcome pressure

losses, differences in altitude and transportation

of multiple products. Variable-speed turbo coup-

lings provide stepless control resulting in energy

savings, higher service lives of motor and pump,

torsional vibration damping and a more econo-

mical operation.

Gas lift compressor, Oman, Geared variable speed coupling type R 19 KGS,Power 7 880 kW,Speed 9 571 rpm

Gas pipeline compressor, ThailandVorecon type RWE,Power 9 955 kW,Speed 9 053 rpm

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Loading pumps

Voith variable-speed couplings allow pumps to be

switched off while the motor is still running, as

well as stepless flow rate control irrespective of

the back pressure or suction pressure.

Pipeline compressors

If distances are long, gas pipelines need flow

control as well as increased pressure. The

variable speed planetary gear Vorecon® with its

high efficiency and the absolute reliability of the

hydrodynamics is the ideal drive unit for pipeline

compressors. Low investment costs, highest

flexibility and significant energy savings as a

result of speed control are further advantages of

this modern drive system. When replacing old

gas turbine drivers with electric motor drives, the

Vorecon offers the possibility of reduced emissi-

ons and compliance with the latest environmental

requirements.

Crude oil loading pump, Saudi ArabiaGeared variable speed coupling type R 19 KGL,Power 10 500 kW,Speed 1 622 rpm

Gas Pipeline compressor, USAVorecon type RWE,Power 5 560 kW,Speed 14 000 rpm

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Variable-speed drives

Applications

Voith Turbo variable-speed drives com-

bined with electric motors are used in a

great variety of installations:

Upstream – Pumps and compressors for

the following applications:

■ Gas lift ■ Gas pipelines■ FPSO ships■ Offshore platforms■ LNG ■ Injection ■ Crude oil loading ■ Oil pipelines■ Water disposal

Downstream – Pumps and compressors for

the following applications:

■ Chemical processes■ Refrigeration processes■ Hydrogen recycling processes■ Wet gas units■ Delayed Cokers■ Refineries

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Highest reliability

for downstream applications

For turbo compressors, speed control is an effective means of process

adjustment. Electric motors combined with a Vorecon variable-speed

planetary gear or a geared variable-speed coupling have proven to be a

reliable means for speed adjustment.

Complete refrigeration compressor train, assembled on base frame with integrated oil supply, Vorecon type RWE,Power 6 966 kW,Speed 8 879 rpm

Plant inlet compressor, CanadaVorecon type RWE,Power 7 457 kW,Speed 11 400 rpm

Compressor test facility, ChinaVorecon type RWC,Power 30 000 kWSpeed 6 000 rpm

Advantages

Compared to alternative drive systems, such as

frequency inverters, the system offers distinct

advantages: excellent availability and reliability of

the units and high efficiency proven by field test-

ing. In addition, hydrodynamic systems often

have lower investment and maintenance costs as

well as a longer life than electronic speed control

systems.

Refrigeration compressors

Refrigeration compressors are used to compress

refrigerants, e.g. propane. The cold generated by

expanding the refrigerant can be used to separ-

ate precious hydrocarbons as condensate from

natural gas. With the help of speed control the

process can be adapted steplessly. The Vorecon

enables speed control at high efficiency and

partially relieved start-up of the drive motor.

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Hydrogen Recycle Compressor, SwedenVorecon type RWE,Power 4 200 kW,Speed 10 450 rpm

Propylene Process Compressor, GermanyGeared variable-speed coupling type R 111 KGS,Power 12 000 kW,Speed 4 140 rpm

Hydrogen Recycle Compressors

With modern processes, refineries are producing

desulphurized diesel fuel to meet new environ-

mental requirements. To control the required

hydrogen recycle process, speed control of the

compressor is required. The compressors often

run at very high speeds – The Voith Vorecon is

the ideal drive unit for this application.

Process Compressor

In the chemical industry process compressors are

used to initiate reactive processes. Such proces-

ses need to run without any disturbances or inter-

ruptions for several years. Voith geared variable-

speed couplings have been proven as highly

reliable drives for these compressors.

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More than just components –

Engineering and Service

Apart from a wide range of products, Voith Turbo offers innovative

engineering and comprehensive field services. With a diverse range of

engineering services, such as performance optimisation, flow and

vibration calculations, and FEM calculations we can help you when

selecting, and designing your drive system. Voith Turbo’s field service

is available anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day. Your advantage:

custom-made solutions for optimum fulfilment of all your process

requirements.

Flow calculation

In our company test field, research is carried out to continually improve our products and test new technologies and materials. Prior to delivery, all Voith products are subjected to intensive test runs

Sample of a FEM calculation for a base frame

Competence for complete solutions

Because of the experience and services listed

above, we are able to offer our customers com-

plete drive systems – motor, variable-speed drive

and oil supply system – assembled on a single lift

skid. This provides you with complete solution

and offers you considerable savings in terms of

transport and installation.

The right solution in all cases –

The Voith product range

Depending on the application, the requirements, the performance or the

output speed, Voith can offer to you a number of different solutions:

Variable-speed planetary gears, geared variable-speed couplings or

variable-speed turbo couplings. Together with you we will find the right

solution for your specific needs.

Variable-speed planetary gear Vorecon®

The Vorecon is a combination of a hydrodynamic component

and a planetary gear in superimposed design. The innovative

drive system is based on the principle of power splitting which

enables high efficiencies across a wide speed range.

Geared variable-speed coupling

Geared variable-speed couplings combine a hydrodynamic

variable-speed coupling and a gear unit in a joint housing. The

gear can be an increaser or reducer, depending on the appli-

cation. For very high output speeds, the geared variable-speed

coupling is fitted with an additional gear stage.

Variable-speed couplings

Variable-speed turbo couplings offer the easiest hydrodynamic

solution for speed control when the maximum output speed

equals the motor speed. The speed of the driven machine can

be controlled steplessly and dynamically.

1 Schematic section Vorecon type RWE with base frame and oil supply system

2 Schematic section geared variable-speed coupling

3 Schematic section variable-speed turbo coupling1

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Voith Turbo GmbH & Co. KG

Variable-speed drives

Voithstraße 1

74564 Crailsheim, Germany

Tel. +49 7951 32-0

Fax +49 7951 32-650

vs.drives@voith.com

www.variable-speed.com

www.voithturbo.com

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