IEN - January 2009 - (Page 22)

IEN / JANUARY ’09 PAGE 22 Lifestyle Engineering . . . contributed editorial by Entertainment Engineering Magazine RainForest Exhibit Relies on Motors and Drives ithout state-of-the-art HVAC technology and equipment improvements such as advanced motor and drive design, it is doubtful that the RainForest tropical habitat — located within the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo complex — could exist. The RainForest contains two acres of plants and some 600 animals, similar to that found in rainforests around the world. The natural setting includes birds, monkeys, reptiles, and colorful fish that habitat lagoons, swamps, and warm rivers. It is a domed, simulated biosphere. Its air handling system conserves water by transferring moisture from inside the biosphere to the dry incoming fresh air on a regular basis. Despite wide swings in temperature and humidity inhabitants of The RainForest enjoy a nearly constant 76 degrees F and 76-percent humidity. This is due to a robust HVAC system that has evolved over the years to incorporate components that have improved the system’s reliability. Direct Air Systems, Inc., with locations in Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio, working in conjunction with Zesco Inc., specialists in electrical-mechanical motion control and based in Cleveland, provided HVAC service to The RainForest. The RainForest has two air handler units that use 100% outside air. To provide and maintain optimum environmental conditions for the facility, Direct Air Systems installed SEMCO energy wheel systems for the units, one of which has a throughput of 60,000 cfm used primarily for cooling. The other unit, rated at 40,000 W Now on IEN.com Industry Blogs How to Change the World The historic presidential election of 2008 is behind us, but all the problems faced last year are still with us. Blogger Mary O’Hara Smith looks at a group of thought leaders, influencers and social change agents who met recently for a one-of-a-kind conference aimed at shaping our future through technology and science. Go to www.ien.com/world Mini Nuclear Proliferation Hot tub-sized nuclear reactors, capable of powering industrial facilities, military installations, or up to 20,000 homes, should be on the market by 2013. See blogger Debbie Maskin’s full report… Go to www.ien.com/nuclear Pack Expo Unwrapped It’s never too late to check out the highlights of last fall’s big packaging machinery show. Bloggers Jennifer Hooker, Mark Devlin and Mike Botta were on the scene and offer highlights… Go to www.ien.com/packexpo cfm, is equipped with a pre-heater and humidifier rack. Both units have side-by-side, 1,000-lb dry desiccant heat wheels, which are necessary to conserve 18,000 pounds of water every day, transferring moisture from the RainForest’s stale exhaust air and giving it to the dry outside air stream once every 2.5 hours. The term “desiccant” refers to material bonded to the surface of the heat wheels that collects moisture, as well as odors, which are then exhausted out of the building via the upper portion of the wheels. The wheels rotate anywhere from seven to eighteen times a minute, depending on the humidity level. Fresh air, referred to as “process air,” is drawn in on the bottom portion of the air handlers and filters through the wheels. The fresh air’s temperature and humidity are moderated by the wheels’ slow revolution and the fact that the wheels’ mass and desiccant surface transfers a portion of the heat and moisture collected from the interior. Heaters, when necessary, warm the air before it passes into The RainForest’s spacious interior. The desiccant process was selected for both efficiency and simplicity. Engineers concluded that boilers, zducts, heat pipes, and other methods did not compare to the 85 percent efficiency the heat wheels provide. There were many problems with the original 1-HP AC motor and gearbox equipment in each of the energy wheel systems. At the time of installation, this was a fairly common equipment configuration Continue reading this story at www.ieninfo.com/11222-1178 Industry Articles HOW TO: www.ien.com/howto • Select Vibration Monitoring Instruments • Choose and Use Ergonomic Hand Tools • Justify the Cost of an On-Site Hose Crimper • Get a Grip on Grippers • Use Heat to Protect Valves • Design for Security • Prevent Lab Accidents PROBLEM SOLVERS: www.ien.com/problemsolvers • Well-Packed Dinosaur Fossil Survives Long Trip • Pumps Help Save Historic City from Flooding • Gas Monitor Aids in Satellite Take-Down • Linescan Camera Speeds Image Inspection • Machinists Save Time with Automated Tool Storage • Conveyor Moves Bus Bars from Press to Packaging • Panels and Baffles Reduce Noise Pollution TECH TOPICS: www.ien.com/techtopics • Picking the Best Robotic Tooling for Palletizing • Training Is Key to Hearing-Protector Effectiveness • Risk Assessment Compliance for Packaging Machine Builders • Camera Robotics Systems Enhance Exhibits at the Newseum • A Holistic Approach to Safety Automation • Smart-But-Simple Wireless Sensor Networking • Programmable Automation Controllers DESIGN: www.ien.com/design • Probing Technology Aids Olympic Champion • Engineering an Optimal Solution: Mechanical Carbon Machine Parts • The Drive for Simplicity: Trends in Motor Drives • Integrating CFD into Mechanical Design MOTORS & DRIVES Motor/Drive Package Rated 20 to 200 hp, WMagnet motor/drive offers 95 to 97% efficiency. Motors use RE magnets in rotor to limit temperature rise. Using vector control technology algorithm, Model CFW-09 drive enables control without encoder/ position sensor. WEG Electric Motors Corp.; 800-275-4934 678-249-2000; Tech Contact: Gerardo Elias-Rodriguez www.ieninfo.com/11222 -291 or circle 291 on card AC Motor Reliance API 547 ac industrial motor meets American Petroleum Institute’s Specification 547 requirements and is designed for safe and reliable operation in severe-duty applications. It is available from 250 to 3,000 hp in 2-, 4-, 6-, and 8-pole speed configurations. Baldor Electric Co.; 479-6464711; Tech Contact: George Weihrauch www.ieninfo.com/11222 -293 or circle 293 on card 3-Phase Motor OME Series has 208 to 230/460 V available in 1 to 5 hp and speeds of 3,600, 1,800, and 900 rpm. Fan-cooled T-frame motors have cast iron frames. They are inverterduty capable with 5:1 speed turndown for variable torque apps. Omega Engineering, Inc.; 888-556-6342; Tech Contact: Ron Auto www.ieninfo.com/11222 -295 or circle 295 on card Variable-Frequency Drive Motor Control IP54-rated, NXL Series has single/3phase power supply and 3-phase output with range of 0.37 to 30 kW. Control can be performed using 0 to 10 V or 4 to 20 mA analog signal or Modbus standard via serial communication. It handles speed of fans in air handling and control of condensing pressure in fan assemblies. CAREL USA; 717-664-0500 www.ieninfo.com/11222 -292 or circle 292 on card OneGear Series uses vacuum-contactor and circuit-breaker switching technology. Line has nonreversing controller, protection systems, and 10 to 15 kV SMC Flex controllers with ArcShield cabinet and A-B PowerBrick technology. All have remote monitoring capability. Rockwell Automation, Inc.; 800-223-5354 ext 2118 www.ieninfo.com/11222 -294 or circle 294 on card Variable-Frequency Drive With 0.25 to 3 hp rating, Model ACS55 VFD is available in 3 widths from 1.77 to 2.77 in. Interface allows basic parameters to be set up using DIP switches and potentiometers. Removable mounting clip allows DIN-rail and wall mounting from rear and side of unit. ABB Inc., Drives & Motors; 262-7803873; Tech Contact: Ken Graber www.ieninfo.com/11222 -296 or circle 296 on card http://www.IEN.com http://www.ien.com/world http://www.ien.com/nuclear http://www.ien.com/packexpo http://www.ien.com/howto http://www.ieninfo.com/11222-1178 http://www.ien.com/problemsolvers http://www.ieninfo.com/11222-293 http://www.ieninfo.com/11222-295 http://www.ieninfo.com/11222-291 http://www.ien.com/techtopics http://www.ieninfo.com/11222-291 http://www.ieninfo.com/11222-293 http://www.ieninfo.com/11222-295 http://www.ieninfo.com/11222-294 http://www.ieninfo.com/11222-296 http://www.ien.com/design http://www.ieninfo.com/11222-292 http://www.ieninfo.com/11222-294 http://www.ieninfo.com/11222-296

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IEN - January 2009 Contents Hot New Products MRO/Plant Maintenance Problem Solvers Focus: CAD/CAM/CAE Free Catalogs & Tech Tips Plant Efficiency: Cost Cutters Free Samples Lifestyle Engineering Now on IEN.com Trade Show: ProMat 2009 IEN Best Brands Winners IEN’s WebReviews: Sensors Resource Center Advertiser Contact

IEN - January 2009

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