BOTAS START SYSTEM

1. START SYSTEM
The upgrade consists of an electronically controlled Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) and an AC Electric
Start Motor that replace the existing start system. The electronic VFD is controlled by the Turbotronic control
system. The VFD provides a pulse-width modulated variable frequency to the motor. The motor is built to
standard motor frame sizes and is a rugged squirrel cage, AC induction design. It is specifically engineered
to provide breakaway starting torque.

1. Solar Scope of Supply

• ATEX certified 400V AC Electric Start Motor
o Built in over temperature protection thermostats
o Support bracket hardware and mounting adapter
• Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) Controller

2. Benefit of the upgrade

• Remove the need of gas during start-up, slow roll, compressor purge, water-wash
o No VOC emission of gas from the start system
o No gas leaks
• High reliability and Low maintenance
o Simple system; 3 standard electric modules Vs 11 moving parts
o No pneumatic system to flush and maintain at a high level of cleanliness
o No gas motor maintenance or filters change
• Fully integrated and supported solution from the OEM
• Water-wash the engine without gas in the station
• The Direct AC VFD controller facilitates the implementation of “slow roll” feature in the software to
prevent rotor bowing/lockup

*The existing system does not have the slow roll turning gear to allow shutting down the unit with the slow
roll mode. The slow roll cooldown the rotor in more efficient way which avoid the rotor to be lockup on the
case. The rotor is block and need to be fully cooled before restart ( take few hours ).

3. Supervision of the installation

We estimate 3 extra days per package to the supervision of the control retrofit.

4. Customer Scope of supply

• Removing the existing Start system.

• Installation of VFD and start system per PIL149
• Wiring into the VFD:
- Power: 2 x 1/0 recommended, 1 x 350 MCM maximum
- Ground: 2 x 1/0 recommended, 1 x 350 MCM maximum
• Wiring VFD to motor:
- 2 x 1/0 per phase for conduit length up to 900 ft (274 m)
• Modifications to the package's existing piping or conduit required for the installation of the AC motor
• Civil and structural work if needed

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 BOTAS START SYSTEM

5. DAC start system Vs Gas Starter

Typical electrical schematics for the DAC start system

Existing start system

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 BOTAS START SYSTEM

Typical installation of a DAC start system

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 BOTAS START SYSTEM

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 BOTAS START SYSTEM

2. Comparison Table for 3 packages

Gas start System DAC start system

Maintenance
Hardware + labor > $ 20,000* < $2000*
hardware/year
Maintenance
High Low
schedule/year
136380 Nm³*+ conditioning
Energy consumption/year of the gas
5832 kWh*

Estimation cost of
$41,725 ** $635**
energy/year
Slow roll Optional (not installed) Included
Reliability Medium High
Probability of rotor lockup Medium Low
Monitoring None Full monitoring (VFD data)
Emission 136,380 Nm3* None
Conditioning skid, filter,
strainer, valve, solenoid,
Clutch/Motor Bearing
Hardware to maintain piping, PCV, gas leaks, gas
(grease)
detection system,
pressurized system.

* Based on 100 start/year and 2 water wash per year per engine.

**based on a cost of 0.029$/kWh for the gas and 0.107 $/kWh for the electricity.

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