PGE/REWE 2015

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An Innovative, Self-Contained, High Efficiency Cooler for Large Electrical Machines (Room G105, Auditorium Centre, First Floor)

This paper describes a new approach to cooling large rotating electrical machines that has been in common use in the most difficult and challenging environments, that now seeks the opportunity to be an alternative to the mainstream solutions. This innovative solution, called Avantair, utilises the much used but often not seen technology known as a heat pipe. This same technology can be found in millions of computer chips worldwide and has been up-scaled to provide sufficient cooling to keep even the largest generators within limits. Traditional technologies using either pumped water at a premium or copious amounts of ambient air, have been around for many years. The market is ready to embrace something different. Avantair uses refrigerant as working fluid which is inert, immune to fouling and corroding of the tube, does not need pumping or external piping and has a better performance. Avantair has been successfully used to upgrade open circuit machines to close circuit operation, reducing maintenance and extending life in arduous environments and as a ‘plug and play’ alternative to complex water cooled solutions. It offers considerable savings in project time and cost over every available alternative, whether the scope is new build or refurbishment. The paper will introduce the core concepts of cooling large machines with Avantair. It will walk through the technical features and benefits that provide the credibility to be a viable alternative; followed by specific examples around meeting specific certifications, extremes of temperature, sound and vibration as well as achieving longevity in both marine and desert conditions.