1. Energy Efficient Belt Drives
Workgroup Meeting January 2014
Energy Efficient Belt Drives
Abdul Qayyum “Q” Mohammed
Engineer

2. Why is this important ?
Industries have more number of larger motors that are belt driven compared to the commercial and residential sectors.
Why Belt drives ?
Ease to locate motors, ease of maintenance, universal
Change speeds at the end use equipment without a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD)
The most common belts are V-belts

3. V-Belt Losses Simplified
Bending Losses (Hysteresis). Largest loss in v-belts.
Other Losses: Friction (in and out of pulley) , Slip (speed), Stretching (Creep)
Belt Temp increases with losses => Reduced belt life
End Use (Power Out)
Bending Required
Bending Required
Motor Power In

4. How to reduce Largest Loss ?
SIMPLE ! Use a Notched (Cogged) V- belt

5. Okay, What Does that Mean?
Average Efficiency of Belts*
Standard-V = 93%
Notched-V = 95%
2-3% Efficiency Boost
100 hp motor
Operating 8760 hours/year
$0.10 /kWh
Demand Savings ~ 2.13 kW
Cost Savings of ~$1,200 /year
Notched-V’s last longer
Twice** the life of a smooth V
** Based on discussions with maintenance personnel
*S. Nadel, R.N. Elliot, M. Shepard, S. Greenberg, G. Katz, A.T. de Almeida, Energy-efficient Motor Systems: A Handbook on Technology, Program, and Policy Opportunities. 2nd ed. American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, 2002.
Off the Grid !

6. I want to be even more efficient !
Use Synchronous Belts
Low bending loss
Low friction
NO Slip
NO Creep
Used in all timing and precision applications
Average Efficiency – 98%
Demand Savings = 4 kW
Cost Savings = $3,600 /year
New system Incremental cost ~ 30% - 50%
Higher Retrofit Cost, but more savings
Not Suitable for High Shock load applications.

7. Who Needs Efficient Belts ?
Everyone !
Top 6 recommendation for industrial facilities
Over 4,000* recommendations
Implementation Rate: 55%*
*Data for 1981 to 2013

8. Conclusions Notched V’s Synchronous Belts
Longer life offsets ~ 40% cost premium
Energy Savings ! (2-3% efficient than smooth v-belts)
Synchronous Belts
98% efficient throughout operating range with No slip
Higher energy savings combined with rebates may result in paybacks less than 2 years.
Example for 100 hp, running 8,760 hours/year on smooth-V $ 0.1/kWh

9. Abdul Qayyum “Q” Mohammed
Questions ?
Thanks for Listening!
Abdul Qayyum “Q” Mohammed
x308

10. Smooth V
Notched V
Synchronous
Efficiency
92%
95%
98%
Demand Savings -
~2 kW
~4 kW
Implementation
+40% of belt cost
+40% System Cost
Life X 2x
Cost Savings/ year
$1,200
$2,400