I am trying to put together load estimations for a high rise building, specifically the elevator loads. The preliminary specs call for 4000lb capacity elevators, traveling at 1800fpm, possibly 80 stories or more. I'm looking for help on how to estimate the hp of the motor (obviously gearless due to speed). Is the machine room still at the top as well?

Also, has anyone ever heard of the ability to capture the heat generated by elevator breaking and utilizing it for other purposes?

I'm obviously not an elevator engineer, I appreciate any input.

-- Greg Weimholt (greg.weimholt@arup.com), June 24, 2003

Answers

Estimated motor rating 108kW. Estimated daily power consumption for 80 runs per hr @ 20 sec/run for 10 hrs/day = 165 kW-Hrs/day.

Reclaiming energy during stopping or with heavy loaded cars going down? Yes...It's called regeneration. The above daily consumption calculation already includes saving 153 kW-Hrs/day using that method. Without regeneration, you must add that to the daily consumption, and figure out how to get rid of it as heat in the building.

Yes, most machine rooms for that size are still at the top of the hoistway.

DonV - Magnetek

-- Don Vollrath (dvollrath@magnetek.com), June 25, 2003.