Island residents rely on drives for clean water

Pumps are used in the desalination process to maintain a minimum 1,200psi high-pressure water on a semipermeable membrane in the reverse osmosis process to remove particles and bacteria from the water. Three pumps are used in the process, pumping 20,000 gallons of water a day. An Invertek Optidrive Eco IP55 was installed and commissioned as part of the solution controlling the 37kW pumps.

“The desalination plant at Al Fattan Island is the only source of clean potable water,” said Soju Sonny Mathew of GI.Tech FZE. “So, it is essential for the system to have capable and reliable VFDs to control the high-pressure water pumps. The water is pressurised at 70 bar through the membrane which overcomes osmotic pressure, a colligative property. This process forms part of the desalination process, removing particles and bacteria from the water.

“The Optidrive Eco, along with its Optiflow technology, ensures the pumps are performing at optimum levels. This ensures improved efficiency and reduces lifetime costs, as a result, less maintenance and downtime of the pumps.”

Harikrishnan K of Gulf Water Treatment, which was established in 1992 and has developed into a leading technology company with services and solutions for all aspects of water, from chemical treatment to hazardous industrial effluent, as well as seawater desalination, said Optidrive Eco was a perfect solution. “Our systems have to ensure accurate pressure as part of the reverse osmosis process. And so, to be able to accurately and efficiently control the pumps was crucial. The Optidrive Eco was very easy to install and commission, and we know long-term it will ensure maximum efficiency for the desalination plant.”

The Optidrive Eco VFD maximises energy savings through constant monitoring of the pumps, optimising the output to match the required flow. Its advanced sleep and wake functions also provide maximum energy efficiencies by switching off the pump when it’s not required. The Eco can also detect pump blockages and can clean them automatically, thus reducing maintenance requirements.

With Invertek’s built-in PLC function, the VFD can also be quickly and easily programmed and commissioned. Optidrive Eco can control AC Induction (IM) motors, AC Permanent Magnet (PM) motors, Brushless DC (BLDC) motors and Synchronous Reluctance (SynRM) motors. The range covers 200-600v single and three phase input and 0.75kW to 250kW, 1HP to 350HP. It comes in three enclosure options – IP20, IP55 and IP66 – and seven frame sizes, with OLED displays on IP55 and IP66 models.

Speaking at H2O Accadueo in Bologna, Italy, about the benefits of VFDs within the water treatment sector, Tony Cox, sales manager at Invertek Drives, said: “The water technologies and treatment distribution sectors can achieve significant savings and efficiencies with the introduction of Invertek’s innovative VFD technology. It’s not only about making savings in the use of water through intelligent control, but the reduction in costs associated with downtime or maintenance as a direct result.”

Innovations such as Invertek’s unique Optiflow system provides multiple pump control in addition to efficiencies that help save energy, time and money. Other benefits include dry run protection and burst pipe detection.