Designing high voltage motors for re-use: Increasing motor component circularity (Circ-Plast-Motor)

Purpose and goal

With new plastic materials we estimate an energy saving of more than 10% over the electric motor life cycle, including processes in manufacturing, continuous maintenance and recycling. We plan to: develop new plastic material that can be removed easier, Perform initial testing of the electric properties of the new plastic material by determining the Partial Discharge Inception Voltage of twisted pair samples, perform a brief analysis of the recycling process in a future industrial environment.

Expected effects and result

Specifically, this project considers the value chain of the motor from development to production and disassembly at the end of life to increase sustainability and environmental impact within the circularity sub-program of FFI. It is possible to increase re-use and encourage a longer life-time if the plastic is designed for easier release when repair is needed. It is envisioned that the lifetime of a motor will be increased by approximately 10% with the implementation of this project concept.

Planned approach and implementation

Besides project coordination and dissemination (WP1), WP2 will focus on the formulation of polyolefin from Borealis for the purpose of electrical motor winding insulation. Chalmers and Borealis will work in close contact together with the specification list from Scania.WP3 will focus on testing that is of interest for insulated copper wires. WP4 will focus on increasing the lifetime of the motors and how this can best be achieved with repair and removal/replacement of the insulation.