FREQUENCY CONVERTERS FOR LIFT IRRIGATION PROJECTS
BHEL has designed
and manufactured a 4 KV, 7.5 MW Static Frequency Converter (SFC)
for use in the Alimineti Madhava Reddy lift irrigation project
at Srisailam Left Bank Canal at Puttamgandi, Nalagonda District
of Andhra Pradesh. The SFC is designed for sequentially starting
four 18 MW, 11 KV synchronous motors. These motors drive the pumps
that lift water from the Krishna River to a reservoir, from where
a system of canals further distributes the water. The SFC system
converts grid power supply to a variable voltage, variable frequency
AC power supply to drive the motor during starting. The voltage
and frquency are gradually raised till they match the grid. The
Motor is then synchronized and the starting system is disconnected.
It facilitates smooth starting of large capacity pump sets without
any adverse impact on the electrical grid and also results in
the longer life of the pump sets. The system had been installed
and commissioned in September, 2001 and has been working satisfactorily.
The design has been
proved to be useful in the Nalagonda District in Andhra Pradesh,
which is a perennially drought affected area. This Static Frequency
Converter was designed considering high temperatures prevalent
in these areas.
The Government would
consider to extend the technology in Mehboobnagar district of
Andhra Pradesh if and when such proposal is received from the
state Government concerned.
This information was
given in the Lok Sabha today by Dr. Vallabhbhai Kathiria, Minister
of State for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises in a written
reply to a question by Shri A.P. Jithender Reddy.
