This application example describes an ECO configuration for a rubber tired gantry (RTG) crane.

Application example

The objective is to reduce the fuel consumption by operating the diesel engine/electrically driven RTG crane at speeds dependent on the load using standard industrial products and SIMOCRANE products from Siemens.

Savings generated by an ECO configuration depend on a number of crane-specific factors. Only a few of these factors can be influenced by ECO Technology. Concrete statements cannot therefore be made about the achievable savings for specific configurations. It can be assumed, however, that when SIMOCRANE ECO Technology is used in comparison to cranes with constant speed or 2 speeds, a noticeable saving is achieved.

Comparison tests have demonstrated a savings potential of between 40 and 50 %. Test cycles were conducted under identical conditions at a constant speed of 1800 rpm and at speeds controlled by ECO Technology for the purposes of comparison. Siemens offers support with specification of the possible crane construction and use. The final average consumption of the crane will be determined by the actual design and use of the crane.

To achieve savings, the following factors should be taken into account:

• Selection of combustion engine; every combustion engine has typical dynamic behavior and typical consumption.
• Design of the crane (total weight, components in drive train, gears, tires, spreaders, etc.)
• Speed, acceleration times, and design of the hoisting gear, trolley, or crane travelling gear
• Design of the auxiliary power supply (lighting, heating, cooling, etc.); the basic load of the auxiliary power supply should be as low as possible.
• Use of the crane

All cranes differ with regard to their specifications and the relevant design, so it is extremely difficult to quantify the possible savings of one crane over another. Specification of the required maximum fuel consumption per hour is the better approach. The overall design of the hardware (crane and installation) and software can then be developed and optimized on the basis of this specific ECO requirement.

Solution

In this example of an upgrade to SIMOCRANE ECO Technology, a configuration with SIMOCRANE Basic Technology was selected. SIMOCRANE Basic Technology is equipped with tested crane functionality. The Basic Technology package comprises SIMOTION D with a CompactFlash card. The ready-to-use application with integrated ECO Basic Technology interface can be used with minimum configuration and commissioning outlay. Use of SIMOCRANE Basic Technology is not mandatory for operation of SIMOCRANE ECO Technology. For realization of the ECO example, the following SIMOCRANE products have to be selected:

• 1 ? SIMOCRANE ECO Technology V1.0 license
  Article No. 6GA7230-0AA00-0AA0
• 1 ? SIMOCRANE Basic Technology V3.0
  Article No. 6AU1660-4AA20-0AA0
• 1 ? SIMOCRANE CMS V4.3 Lean
  Article No. 6GA7214-0AA00-0AA0
• 1 ? SINAMICS S120 Motor Module in chassis format as infeed
• 1 ? SINAMICS S120 Motor Module in booksize or chassis format with sinewave filter as an auxiliary drive