Variable-speed drives for the oil, gas and ... - Voith Turbo

Variable-speed drives for the oil, 

gas and petrochemical industry

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We give 100 % – 

even under toughest conditions 

Voith Turbo hydrodynamic drives are in service in the oil, gas and petrochemical 

industry under the toughest conditions around the world. 

These drives are installed at facilities from production to transportation 

to processing. On offshore platforms, natural gas pipelines, crude 

oil and liquid pipelines, refineries, petrochemical plants and other 

industrial facilities, in the desert, or in arctic environments – Voith 

drives are running 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. These environments 

require equipment that can operate economically and with maximum 

reliability inspite of the difficult operating conditions. 

Efficient and reliable drives for controlling pumps 

and compressors are a necessity for reduced 

operating costs, increased profitability and, above 

all, a smooth production process. Variable-speed 

drives by Voith Turbo deliver the highest possible 

reliability, availability and efficiency. This performance 

is the result of the companies’ continuous 

research and development. 

Powers of 100 to 50 000 kW and speeds of 100 to 

20 000 rpm can be transmitted with Voith hydrodynamic 

variable-speed drives. 

Advantages provided 

by the hydrodynamic drives 

■ Reliability of 99.9 %* 

■ Availability of 99.8 %* 

■ Highest efficiency 

■ Optimum price/performance ratio 

■ Application in explosive and dusty environments 

at extreme temperatures 

■ Very long trouble-free operating periods (MTBF) 

■ Compact and robust design 

■ Easy maintenance 

■ Excellent control accuracy and high control 

dynamics 

■ Vibration damping 

■ Integrated lube oil system supplying lube oil to 

the driver and driven machine 

■ Availability of spare parts guaranteed for many 

years 

*calculated on the basis of machines in operation

Even in toughest conditions 

Economic speed control upstream 

No matter how tough your requirements are: hot, cold, dust, environments 

with explosion hazards – Voith offers an economical and at the 

same time reliable solution for every application. 

Compressor drive unit on oil platform 

Nam, North Sea, Vorecon type RWE, 

Power 4 573 kW, 

Speed 13 211 rpm 

Gas lift compressors and injection pumps 

Geared variable-speed couplings and the 

Vorecon are used for speed controlling pumps 

and compressors in oil or gas production 

facilities. If the natural pressure of the field is no 

longer sufficient, water or gas is pumped into the 

producing formations at high pressures. As a 

result, remaining oil or gas is pushed to the 

surface. Voith drives provide a stepless control of 

the required injection flow and pressure. 

Gas lift compressor, Oman, Geared 

variable speed coupling type R 19 KGS, 



Gas pipeline compressor, Thailand 

Vorecon type RWE, 



Pipeline pumps 

In pipelines, pump stations overcome pressure 

losses, differences in altitude and transportation 

of multiple products. Variable-speed turbo couplings 

provide stepless control resulting in energy 

savings, higher service lives of motor and pump, 

torsional vibration damping and a more economical 

operation. 

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Crude oil loading pump, Saudi Arabia 

Geared variable speed coupling type R 19 KGL, 



Loading pumps 

Voith variable-speed couplings allow pumps to be 

switched off while the motor is still running, as 

well as stepless flow rate control irrespective of 

the back pressure or suction pressure. 

Gas Pipeline compressor, USA 




Pipeline compressors 

If distances are long, gas pipelines need flow 

control as well as increased pressure. The 

variable speed planetary gear Vorecon ® with its 

high efficiency and the absolute reliability of the 

hydrodynamics is the ideal drive unit for pipeline 

compressors. Low investment costs, highest 

flexibility and significant energy savings as a 

result of speed control are further advantages of 

this modern drive system. When replacing old 

gas turbine drivers with electric motor drives, the 

Vorecon offers the possibility of reduced emissions 

and compliance with the latest environmental 

requirements. 

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Variable-speed drives 

Applications 

Voith Turbo variable-speed drives combined 

with electric motors are used in a 

great variety of installations: 

Upstream – Pumps and compressors for 

the following applications: 

■ Gas lift 

■ Gas pipelines 

■ FPSO ships 

■ Offshore platforms 

■ LNG 

■ Injection 

■ Crude oil loading 

■ Oil pipelines 

■ Water disposal 

Downstream – Pumps and compressors for 

the following applications: 

■ Chemical processes 

■ Refrigeration processes 

■ Hydrogen recycling processes 

■ Wet gas units 

■ Delayed Cokers 

■ Refineries 

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Highest reliability 

for downstream applications 

For turbo compressors, speed control is an effective means of process 

adjustment. Electric motors combined with a Vorecon variable-speed 

planetary gear or a geared variable-speed coupling have proven to be a 

reliable means for speed adjustment. 

Complete refrigeration compressor train, 

assembled on base frame with integrated 

oil supply, Vorecon type RWE, 



Advantages 

Compared to alternative drive systems, such as 

frequency inverters, the system offers distinct 

advantages: excellent availability and reliability of 

the units and high efficiency proven by field testing. 

In addition, hydrodynamic systems often 

have lower investment and maintenance costs as 

well as a longer life than electronic speed control 

systems. 

Compressor test facility, China 

Vorecon type RWC, 

Power 30 000 kW 


Refrigeration compressors 

Refrigeration compressors are used to compress 

refrigerants, e.g. propane. The cold generated by 

expanding the refrigerant can be used to separate 

precious hydrocarbons as condensate from 

natural gas. With the help of speed control the 

process can be adapted steplessly. The Vorecon 

enables speed control at high efficiency and 

partially relieved start-up of the drive motor. 

Plant inlet compressor, Canada 



Speed 11 400 rpm

Hydrogen Recycle Compressors 

With modern processes, refineries are producing 

desulphurized diesel fuel to meet new environmental 

requirements. To control the required 

hydrogen recycle process, speed control of the 

compressor is required. The compressors often 

run at very high speeds – The Voith Vorecon is 

the ideal drive unit for this application. 

Hydrogen Recycle Compressor, Sweden 




Process Compressor 

In the chemical industry process compressors are 

used to initiate reactive processes. Such processes 

need to run without any disturbances or interruptions 

for several years. Voith geared variablespeed 

couplings have been proven as highly 

reliable drives for these compressors. 

Propylene Process Compressor, Germany 

Geared variable-speed coupling type R 111 KGS, 



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More than just components – 

Engineering and Service 

Apart from a wide range of products, Voith Turbo offers innovative 

engineering and comprehensive field services. With a diverse range of 

engineering services, such as performance optimisation, flow and 

vibration calculations, and FEM calculations we can help you when 

selecting, and designing your drive system. Voith Turbo’s field service 

is available anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day. Your advantage: 

custom-made solutions for optimum fulfilment of all your process 

requirements. 

Flow calculation 

Competence for complete solutions 

Because of the experience and services listed 

above, we are able to offer our customers complete 

drive systems – motor, variable-speed drive 

and oil supply system – assembled on a single lift 

In our company test field, research is carried out 

to continually improve our products and test new 

technologies and materials. Prior to delivery, all 

Voith products are subjected to intensive test runs 

skid. This provides you with complete solution 

and offers you considerable savings in terms of 

transport and installation. 

Sample of a FEM calculation for a 

base frame

The right solution in all cases – 

The Voith product range 

Depending on the application, the requirements, the performance or the 

output speed, Voith can offer to you a number of different solutions: 

Variable-speed planetary gears, geared variable-speed couplings or 

variable-speed turbo couplings. Together with you we will find the right 

solution for your specific needs. 

Variable-speed planetary gear Vorecon ® 

The Vorecon is a combination of a hydrodynamic component 

and a planetary gear in superimposed design. The innovative 

drive system is based on the principle of power splitting which 

enables high efficiencies across a wide speed range. 

Geared variable-speed coupling 

Geared variable-speed couplings combine a hydrodynamic 

variable-speed coupling and a gear unit in a joint housing. The 

gear can be an increaser or reducer, depending on the application. 

For very high output speeds, the geared variable-speed 

coupling is fitted with an additional gear stage. 

Variable-speed couplings 

Variable-speed turbo couplings offer the easiest hydrodynamic 

solution for speed control when the maximum output speed 

equals the motor speed. The speed of the driven machine can 

be controlled steplessly and dynamically. 

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1 Schematic section Vorecon type RWE 

with base frame and oil supply system 

2 Schematic section geared variablespeed 

coupling 

3 Schematic section variable-speed 

turbo coupling 

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Voith Turbo GmbH & Co. KG 

Variable-speed drives 

Voithstraße 1 

74564 Crailsheim, Germany 

Tel. +49 7951 32-0 

Fax +49 7951 32-650 

vs.drives@voith.com 

www.variable-speed.com 

www.voithturbo.com 

Cr 271 en, aik / WA, 03.2010, 2.000. Dimensions and illustrations without obligation. Subject to modifications.

Variable-speed drives for the oil, gas and ... - Voith Turbo

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