LCA-Vergleich von Elektromotoren

Translated title of the contribution: LCA comparison of electric motors

Stefan Fragner

    Research output: ThesisMaster's / Diploma thesis

    Abstract

    Nowadays, sustainability is a huge Topic. One part of the discussion is the desired increase of energy Efficiency. Therefore, electric drives tend to become updated. Due to the higher Efficiency induction machines (IM) are being replaced by permanent magnet synchronous machines (PMSM). Often These permanent magnet synchronous machines contain environmental critical rare earth magnets. This leads to the question, whether PMSM are indeed more environmental friendly than IM, when the whole product life cycle is considered rather than a single aspect oft it.The aim of this theses is to answer this question. To get an answer a comparative life cycle Analysis (LCA) is conducted. Two different 750 W Motors for a Palette conveyor application are compared. From the LCA results two Major conclusions can be drawn. First, the main Driver for the environmental Impacts is the energy consumption during the use Phase. Since the PMSM has lower energy demand than the IM, the IM has higher Impact values in all Impact categories. Second, even if the use Phase is neglected, the IM has still higher Impact values due to higher raw material usage. Only in one Impact category, freshwater eutrophication, the PMSM has a slightly higher Impact value caused by rare earth magnet production.
    Translated title of the contributionLCA comparison of electric motors
    Original languageGerman (Austria)
    Publication statusPublished - Apr 2018

    JKU Focus areas

    • Management and Innovation
    • Social and Economic Sciences (in general)

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