New Motor Provides Hot Water at the Right Price: Free

At a time when any kind of energy conservation is invaluable to bottom lines, Stainless Motors Inc. has released its new water-cooled, high-efficiency motor to help food manufacturers cope with the added stress of the energy crisis.

"The request for the product came from one of our customers in the food processing industry," said John Oleson , Chief Engineer for Stainless Motors, as well as the man responsible for the new design. "They mentioned that they were sick and tired of air conditioning the waste heat from their motors out of the plant, and they also expressed an interest in running the motors faster, because they were experiencing tremendous bearing problems due to bearing temperatures."

What resulted was a stainless steel motor that provides usable warm water discharge that does not need to be expelled from the plant. The water is clean enough to use for tasks such as preheating boilers or washing equipment, as the motor's housing, water jacket, and endbells will not rust or impart corrosion debris into the cooling water.

With respect to temperature, the motor is kept cool, and the lower temperature of the winding and bearings increase the motor's service life.

"We paid particular attention to bearing cooling and winding cooling," said Oleson, "but because we work in stainless steel, we are not adulterating their soft water in any way. Because you're left with clean stainless steel water jacket, you can use that water, as opposed to the water from a cast-iron motor, which may be rusty." While most electric motors are highly efficient, operating at between 90 percent and 95 percent of total efficiency, that 5 percent to 10 percent loss still costs time, money, and energy.

"Our first target is going to be companies that cook and freeze," said Oleson. "In these plants, big motors are used to drive the compressors that run the freezers. But then at the other side of the plant, they're using steam to cook and hot water to wash. So here's your free hot water, if you will."

The motor also reduces ambient plant noise, as high speed cooling fans and blowers, required for air cooled motors, are no longer necessary. For more information, contact Stainless Motors Inc. at (505) 867-0224.