QA: GEARBOXES WITH VOITH

The integral gear unit can combine several compressor and expansion stages in one gear unit.

WHAT DO YOU OFFER IN THE TURBOMACHINERY SECTOR?

Founded in 1867, Voith Group has more than 20,000 employees and locations in over 60 countries worldwide. The Voith Turbo division offers intelligent drive technology, systems, and services. Our family of geared variable speed drives (GVSDs) includes mechanical and hybrid drive technology suitable for various industrial applications such as compressors, pumps, fans, crushers, and generators. Furthermore, we have an extensive range of turbo gear units, previously known as BHS Gears. We have expertise that covers almost the entire horsepower range of global installed machinery, and our controls andactuator product range ensures reliable operation of turbines and industrial equipment.

WHAT KEY TRENDS DO YOU SEE EVOLVING?
In the thermal generation market, there has been continuous adaptation to more stringent environmental regulations. This trend will continue to play a pivotal role as almost every product required to sustain life is derived from the hydrocarbon molecule. We foresee newer processes and potential fuel sources coming to the fore; however, the critical installed base will continue to operate for the foreseeable future.

Bill Quinn, Vice President of New Business Sales Power, Oil & Gas at Voith Turbo North America, discusses gearing, variable speed drives, and industry trends.

Turbomachinery equipment will remain vital to the extraction, transport, and processing of oil & gas products. But the transition to greener technology with electrification is resulting in a more extensive electric motor install base, especially within greenfield and retrofit projects. Overall, the big trends are the development of hydrogen and carbon capture technology, sustainability, electrification, and digitalization.

At Voith Turbo, several R&D initiatives are in place with a focus on carbon capture and hydrogen technology. We partner with engineering, procurement, and construction (EPCs) contractors and users to examine the market space and integrate our solutions into potential new applications. We plan to support the industry’s endeavor to become more sustainable.

WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON THE GEARBOX VERSUS DIRECT DRIVE DEBATE?
The direct drive is unfeasible in most turbomachinery applications. Currently, no connected technology can replace the flexibility and reliability gearboxes offer. Gearboxes are proven and efficient, and the advances in metallurgy and manufacturing processes have increased reliability and durability.

WHAT CAN YOU SAY ABOUT VORECONNX?

Forming part of the Vorecon family, the VoreconNX is a hydrodynamic power transmission in combination with planetary gear. Thanks to the adjustable pump guide vanes in the torque converter, it offers an efficiency improvement of up to 8% at part load. This enables processes to run at precisely the required speed, resulting in better efficiency and energy savings. The latest generation VoreconNX is based upon components with a MTBF of 48 years in long-term operation. The integrated oil system supplies operating oil for the torque converter while simultaneously providing the drive motor and the driven machine with lubricating oil.

Since it was launched a few years back, Vorecon sales have remained relatively steady, and we engage interested customers daily. This technology offers substantial Capex savings.

WHAT INTEGRAL GEARBOXES DO YOU OFFER?
Designed for the energy, petrochemicals, technical gases, and oil & gas markets, our single and multi-pinion integral gearboxes are efficient, require fewer stages than inline compressors, and have lower capital and operational cost. Voith integral gear units, formerly BHS Gear Units, have a smaller footprint and require a shorter installation period than other solutions. Furthermore, when it comes to safety where volatile gases need to be considered, peace of mind is guaranteed as our units are approved to handle inflammable, explosive, corrosive, and toxic gases.

For more information, visit voith.com 