STATUS OF AC AND DC MACHINES IN THE INDUSTRIAL WORLD

A technical paper presented to

Engr. Mark Teodoro
Engr. Jorge Burgos
Department of Mechanical Engineering
FEU Institute of Technology
P. Paredes St., Sampaloc, Manila

In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
2ndsemester school year 2020-2021

by

Fernandez, Roi Joseph M.

November 2020
 THE STATUS OF AC AND DC MACHINES IN THE INDUSTRIAL
WORLD

ABSTRACT

This paper presents the current status and innovations of Alternating current
(AC) and Direct current (DC) in the industrial world with an emphasis on the newly
developed “AC Biode” and the effect of Minimum Energy Performance Standards on
the status of the usage of electric motors in the industrial sector. It is known that
electric motors utilize a major fraction of total industrial energy usage, this paper also
further explain how the industrial world is benefited in utilizing efficient and premium-
standard electric motors.

INTRODUCTION
The world has been ever evolving, from manual labor to a more efficient and
cost-wise alternative machines. Alternating Current (AC) and Direct Current (DC) is
being used in every motorized equipment or machines from its discovery on the late
1800s. In 1887, the first electric trolley systemin Richmond, Virginia, was assembled
with an electric motor and by 1892, the mechanism of electric elevator and control
has been invented [8]. Since its discovery and up until now, it is widely used from
simple institutions to the most complicated ones, but its utilization is most apparent in
the industrial world. The AC and DC machines or motors is considered to be one of
the most important inventions of it’s time that has greatly affected how we live in
these modern times, these machines are the cornerstone of many of our modern
conveniences

The innovation of AC and DC machines is growing rapidly at the current time,

some of those are the forecasted growth of electric vehicles which utilizes superior
motors, superior machines, energy efficiency standards in HVAC systems and
increasing demand for efficient energy and industrial electricity production. These
innovations will greatly affect the industrial world in terms of efficiency and wise
energy consumption. [5] Compliance with minimum energy efficiency standards
(MEPS) fuels the need for more efficient motors in industrial and HVAC systems.
Worldwide energy consumption from electric motors is projected to increase by
13,360 TWh annually by 2030 without productivity improvements.The consumption
of electrical energy in the industrial sector has immensely increased over the last ten
years hence making it directly affected by the innovations or new discoveries in
electric currents and motors, and would not be seen as a successful sector without
the aid of electric machines and/or motors.

BODY

Alternating Current (AC) and Direct Current (DC) machines/motors plays an

integral role in the industrial world, this paper focuses on the current status of the
application of AC and DC machines/motors in the said area of society. Before,
industrial processes were limited by power transmissions using hydraulic pressure,
and belts, but after several improvements, every machines nowadays can already be
powered by its own electric motors which results to a more efficient and safer power
transmission [3]. In today's world, electricity is generated in bulk in the form of an
alternating current, and the utilization of DC machines may come limited, but handy,
in the form of generators, wielding process, speed motors, and they are primarily
utilized in supplying currents or energy on small and medium-range alternators.
Electric motors use about 30-40% of the world power and about 90% of that power is
used in the industry [7]. 99% of our industrial sector relies on the application of AC
and DC machines in each of their processes, hence the importance of the
innovations and developments in the said machines.

Alternating current or AC is an electrical current where the magnitude and

direction of the current varies periodically, this current is normally used in supplying
electricity to various homes and industries [4]. While Direct current (DC) on the other
hand, is a flow of electric current in one uni-directional flow, this type of current is
typically used in electronic devices or machines that uses battery as its source of
energy.

There is a latest breakthrough utilizing Alternating current, the “AC Biode,” it

was developed by “InnoEnergy”, they innovated the world’s first standalone
alternating current (AC) battery using a so called ‘biode’, which has both the
characteristics of an anode and a cathode. The AC battery is said to be more
efficient, safer and about 30 per cent more compact than regular batteries, which
uses direct current (DC) [1]. This innovation is greatly useful in productions which
utilizes batteries, more compact means more space, more space means more area
for production needs, it is also said to be for big machines such as; electric vehicle,
electric airplanes, and as a storage for renewable energy that is a must in every
industrial location for them to offer unhamper service and production. This AC Biode
is foreseen to be used in the near future on fork lifts and superior machines [1].

Machineries, big and small, comes with motors that may or may not
negatively affect the environment and its services and products, not having the
enough efficiency to properly serve its purpose, and since the industrial sector is by
far the largest sector in the industry and consuming about 60% of electric current,
that enough alerted the officials to implement a standard to prevent sectors from
using sub-standard electric motors. The said predicament birthed to the “Minimum
Energy Performance Standards” or MEPS, which several countries have already
started to implement, this standard prescribes a range of required energy
consumption per area which fuels to the need of using more efficient motors. Its
goals are to promote the use of energy efficient motors for safety and for energy
saving process, and also for choosing cost-wise alternatives. The said standard
(MEPS), compelled the growth of energy efficient electric motors market across the
world [2].Energy efficient motors run cooler and uses less electricity while having
same performance or more superior performance than with outdated or substandard
motors. Energy efficient motors optimizes design to the most advantageous pattern
and uses superior quality materials to achieve higher efficiencies, it also reduces the
energy losses which account for 3- ‐6% of the energy that flows through the motor
[6]. This standard is undisputedly a lifelong requirement in the sector, making AC
and DC machines a permanent part of the industrial world.

AC and DC machines are undeniably one of the foundations of a strong and

successful industrial sector, innovations on these machines had accompanied the
sector to an easier and more advanced techniques, ways, and products from its
discovery until now and will still be unto the future.
CONCLUSION

This paper concluded that AC and DC machines plays a vital role in the
industrial sector. The said machines are for all time prominent in the said sector. The
latest innovations such as the AC Biode is seen to be a promising invention that can
be utilized in the said sector once available. Another is the Minimum Energy
Performance Standards that has been rigidly implemented in several countries
already, is also seen as a favorable resolution to utilize the electric motors efficiently
and intelligently. These innovations and standard affecting electric motors are
directly related to the emerging success of the industrial world and is seen to make
AC and DC machines to be an integral part in the whole industrial world perpetually.

RECOMMENDATION

I commend utilizing AC and DC machines innovations in the industrial world

for a safer, more efficient outputs, cost-wise and energy saving that would benefit not
only the manufacturer but also the consumers.