Innovative Variable Speed Systems using Induction Motor for Gas Compression by GE Power Conversion @ PCIC Middle East 2022, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia

For the first time in its history, the PCIC Middle East Conference was organized in Al-Khobar on November 15 and 16, at the initiative of the executive organizing committee chaired by Florent Baldeck with the support of the main engineering leaders of Aramco, Dr. Mohammed Saad Al-Ghamdi, Rakam El-Mahayni, Mahmoud Gamaleldin and Rami Daboussi, as well as Sabic represented by Peter Pieters. It was a great success.

I presented a publication entitled "Innovative Variable Speed Systems using Induction Motor for Gas Compression".

During the last 30 years, there has been a significant evolution and innovation of electric driven compressors in replacement of steam or gas turbines because of the gas monetization, the process flexibility and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Technology trends of the squirrel cage induction motor are highlighted in this paper up to 130MW. This first part of this paper describes the theory and the different technologies of 2-pole induction motors for direct drive systems, with a special focus on the advantages of the high-speed laminated core rotor.

The second part introduces the cooling principles and thermal analysis of these machines and describes the solutions of coolants to increase the torque density of the active parts. The field of use of induction motors to replace turbine drives is also presented with a special focus of on 80MW induction motor validation.

Finally, the third part reviews the architectures of electric compression trains, including the most powerful and reliable voltage source inverters and rectifiers, for LNG trains, off-shore and downstream applications covering standalone and integrated motor-compressor systems, highlighting the advantages in term of CAPEX and OPEX for the end-user.

At the end of my presentation, my Q&A session led by Rami Daboussi with the participants including WEG, Sabic and Aramco was very fruitful with discussions relating to the use of Active Magnetic Bearings or Active Front End rectifier ...

There were many very interesting papers, in particular on Digitalization with Jean Guilhem from 2B1st Consulting, Electro-mechanical Gear with Wissam Moubarak from Voith, Electrical Voltage Dip Impact Mitigation with Mohammed Ashraf Ali from Sabic...

I would like to thank the host of the Aramco engineering team with whom I was able to share a lunch and talk about many topics related to the electrification of compression processes, and the production of electrical energy with offshore wind turbines...

This conference will be repeated next year in Al-Khobar, supported by the IEEE Saudi Arabia committee. Do not hesitate to come and present your ideas, your innovations, your technology, to exchange between end-users, EPCs and solution providers.