Historically, maintaining the mechanical components of
the fan drive system has been the largest issue in the maintenance
of cooling towers [6]. Gearbox failures, oil leaks,
oil contamination, failed drive shafts, misaligned drive
shafts, and excessive vibration are all significant problems
related to this type of fan drive system [7], [8]. In this article,
recent developments in motor technology are presented,
and it is demonstrated how these innovations can
be used to improve reliability and reduce maintenance
costs associated with today’s cooling tower installations.
The design and installation of a 50-hp, 208-r/min PM
motor for a retrofit application is discussed in detail. The
possibility of improved system efficiency and lower energy
consumption with the proposed solution is considered.