Application note

Synchronous motors for the chemical, oil and gas

industries

Synchronous motors are widely used to drive

compressors and pumps in the upstream, midstream and
downstream sectors of the oil and gas industry, as well as
extruders in the chemical industry.
ABB supplies both higher speed (4 and 6 poles) and lower
speed (8 poles and higher) synchronous motors for COG
applications. The motors are based on a standardized
modular platform, and each motor is dimensioned and
designed for its particular application. Highly tailored
designs can be produced on request. A wide range of
accessories and protection devices are available.
For hazardous areas the motors are available with nonsparking and pressurized protection types, as per IEC and
equivalent NEC definitions.

Compressors
Higher speed synchronous motors drive compressors in
the gas lift and injection processes, in gas liquefaction and
underground gas storage facilities, and in the hydrocarbon
process industry.
Centrifugal compressors have high torque curves and
high inertia. They are often used in applications involving
continuous duty and hazardous environments such as
booster stations on natural gas pipelines. Single-stage units
are typically operated at speeds up to 15000 rpm, multistage
centrifugal compressors in the range 3600-15000 rpm, and
barrel type centrifugal compressors up to 20000 rpm.
Barrel compressors generate very high pressures and are
used in gas injection and lift. In many cases multiple units
are operated in series on a single shaft. Motors driving barrel
compressors are usually VSD (variable speed drive) controlled
and typically connected to the compressor via a gearbox.
Lower speed synchronous motors drive hydrogen gas
compressors in the hydrocracking process at oil refineries,
and ethylene gas compressors (primary booster and hyper)
in the production of low density polyethylene. Motors for
hydrogen gas compressor applications typically have a
frame size of 900 1600 mm, while motors for ethylene gas
compressors usually have 1600 and 2500 mm frames. In both
cases air-to-water or air-to-air cooling is generally used.
Lower speed synchronous compressor motors (for both
hydrogen and ethylene gas) are highly tailor made for the
application. Special accessories, including barring gear / slow
turning devices, are supplied on request.

Pumps
Higher speed synchronous motors drive pumps in oil and
gas production and gathering operations, transportation and
distribution processes, and in petroleum refining.
Pump applications for higher speed motors include sea
water injection and lift, cooling water supply, crude oil export,
pipeline and booster stations, and condensate extraction and
injection.
In many cases the pumps are run in continuous duty in
hazardous environments, and marine certifications are
necessary. Piston pumps present a constant torque load,
while centrifugal pumps are quadratic loads. Mainline and
booster pumps in oil pipelines are installed in either single
or multistage configurations. The motors are often VSD
controlled.
Extruders
Higher and lower speed synchronous motors are used to drive
HDPE and PP (High Density Polyethylene and Polypropylene)
extruders.
Lower speed synchronous motors for extruders typically have
a frame size of 900 mm and are air-to-water cooled. The
motors are generally supplied in a complete package with an
ACS 6000 drive and transformers. Requested accessories
include vibration monitoring, lubrication systems, cooling
circuit monitoring and items related to forced cooling. Most
extruders are safe area applications.

The data below covers ABBs full range of synchronous

motors, which are used in COG and many other applications.
Technical specifications, higher speed
Motor type:

AMS

Output power:

1-65 MW (1-87 kHP)

Frame size:

710 to 1250

Number of poles:

4-6

Voltages:

3-15 kV

Frequency:

50, 60 Hz or VSD

Protection:

IP23, IP54, IP55, IP56, IPW24

Cooling:

IC01, IC31, IC611, IC616, IC81W, IC86W

Mounting:

horizontal

Standards:

IEC, NEMA, BS, VDE, CSA

Marine classification:

all international societies, eg ABS, BV, DNV

9AKK105826 EN 01-2013

(standard range each motor is dimensioned for its specific application)

Hydrogen gas compressor motors.

and GL

voltage range 15 - 70 kV and power range 5 - 50 MW (6.7

67 kHP). 2-pole high speed synchronous motors (motor type
WMT) are also available on request.

Technical specifications, lower speed

Motor type:

AMZ

Output power:

1-60 MW (1-81 kHP)

Frame size:

710 to 2500

Number of poles:

8-40

Voltages:

1-15 kV

Frequency:

50, 60 Hz or VSD

Protection:

IP23, IP44, IP54, IP55, IPW24

Cooling:

IC01, IC611, IC81W, IC616

Enclosure material:

welded steel

Mounting:

horizontal or vertical

Standards:

IEC and NEMA

Marine classification:

all international societies, eg ABS, BV, DNV

and GL

Other ABB synchronous motors suitable for Oil and Gas

applications:
MotorformerTM - very high voltage motor - can in many cases
be directly connected to the local grid, therefore avoiding the
need for a step-down transformer. MotorformersTM can also be
combined with ABBs HVDC Light for a variable speed drive.
MotorformersTM are available in 4- or 6-pole versions and cover

Main benefits
Designed and built for reliability, flexibility and efficiency while
withstanding the harshest conditions.
ABBs unrivalled experience in COG industry applications
ensures that each motor is designed as a perfect match for the
process.
Solid support is available to customers at every stage of the
project and beyond.
As a global player, ABB can design its products to meet local
and regional regulations in all parts of the world.
Full service from sales and delivery to maintenance from one
supplier, including erection and commissioning, spare parts and
maintenance services.
Motors are thoroughly tested in Factory Acceptance Test (FAT)
to ensure they meet the stringent requirements of the COG
industries.
ABB also has large testing field available in close cooperation
with CESI, the Italian research center for electrical applications.
There are practically no power limitations for type testing.

Examples of ABB synchronous motors supplied to the COG industries:

Pcs.

Product

Power [MW]

Voltage [kV]

Speed [rpm]

Application

Country

Year

14

AMS 900L4 / 800L4

13-16

6.9

1800

Compressor

China

2013

AMZ 2500ZB36

26.5

13.2

200

Ethylene gas compressor

South-Korea

2013

AMT 1600L4

50

60

1800

Compressor

Norway

2013

AMZ 2500YY30

27.5

11

200

Ethylene gas compressor

Saudi-Arabia

2012

AMS 900L4

20

6.6

1800

Compressor

Qatar

2012

AMZ 1250QM20

6.4

4.16

360

Hydrogen gas compressor

Saudi-Arabia

2012

AMZ 1120LS16

5.1

6.6

375

Hydrogen gas compressor

Singapore

2012

AMZ 1600QM20

7.46

13.2

360

Natural gas compressor

USA

2012

AMS 1250L4

17

12

1500

Compressor

Oman

2011

AMZ 0900LU06

12.5

3.06

1000

Extruder

China

2010

AMS 1250L4

13.5-16

6.6

1714

Compressor

United Arab Emirates

2010

AMZ 1120SM14

429

Hydrogen gas compressor

Russia

2010

AMZ 1120LS18

4.7

6.6

333

Hydrogen gas compressor

India

2010

AMZ 2500WW30

27.5

11

200

Ethylene gas compressor

Sweden

2008

AMZ 2500WW26

33

11

231

Ethylene gas compressor

United Kingdom

2006

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www.abb.com/motors&generators