Page 20 - Energize October 2021

NEWS

Compressor room optimisation gives users full benefit from

compressed air systems

tlas Copco’s cutting-edge analysing, compressed air installation to establish system efficiency and identify potential energy saving
optimising and monitoring service opportunities. The audit can establish, for example, whether compressed air is produced at
Asolutions assist users in gaining a higher pressure than required or if there are any air leaks,” explains Prinsloo. This unique
the full benefit from their air compressor compressor audit software generates a report that provides in-depth problem evaluation,
systems by maximising the overall efficiency realistic projections, actionable insights and well-founded recommendations to enable
of their compressed air installations through customers to make well-informed decisions.
improved reliability and availability and Armed with all the necessary information, Atlas Copco recommends that customers
significant reductions in energy consumption first address the quick fixes that deliver fast results. “So we start with air leak detection and
and CO 2 emissions. repair, saving up to a staggering 43 kW on 1 cm leak at 7 bar,” advises Prinsloo. Losses in
“The production of compressed air energy consumption of as much as 20% can be quickly remedied with a simple repair using
is one of the biggest energy consumers Atlas Copco’s RePress. “This cost-saving and sustainable product enables leak detection and
in manufacturing and processing plants, repair to be carried out while the distribution net is under pressure, eliminating the need for
expending to roughly 4% of the total dismantling pipes and couplings, which means zero downtime of the compressed air system,”
global energy consumption,” notes emphasises Prinsloo.
Jaydon Prinsloo, advanced service sales The next step in optimising compressed air system performance is the automation of
engineer at Atlas Copco Compressor equipment control to achieve efficiency, reliability and connectivity through Atlas Copco’s
Technique. “Subsequently, energy is the advanced monitoring and control technologies. Atlas Copco’s master controller, Optimizer 4.0,
most expensive component in the total ensures that users get the best compressor energy performance and minimised CO 2 emissions,
cost of producing compressed air, making with the added benefit of maximum local and online connectivity. As the name suggests,
up to 70% of a compressor’s life cycle Equalizer 4.0 equalises the running hours and lowers the pressure band, reducing energy
costs. Given that compressed air is the life consumption.
blood of most production plants, users are But the efficiency advantage goes even further through Atlas Copco’s Energy Recovery
dependent on this critical commodity. We solutions. A staggering 94% of the energy consumed by an air compressor is converted into
are also acutely aware of the fact that users heat. Welcome news for customers is that Atlas Copco can assist in putting this thermal
are under constant pressure to produce energy to good use. Instead of diverting the heat to the cooling system for release into the
more at lower costs to ensure sustainable atmosphere, Energy Recover recovers a large portion of this heat for re-use in a variety of
and profitable operations.” applications such as heating the workspace, providing hot water for industrial processes that
Having developed the first air require heat or steam or for use in bathroom showers. Prinsloo points to the substantial
compressor in 1904, Atlas Copco channels cost saving implications as a plant can scale down or eliminate the use of heat generating
this time-honoured experience through equipment such as geysers and preheaters for boiler water thus lowering overall energy
continued investment in compressed air consumption. Moreover, re-using this free heat also complies with sustainability standards by
technology R&D. “In our continuous quest reducing emissions.
to deliver the most efficient compressed Another solution from Atlas Copco to facilitate the customer’s journey in achieving optimal
air solutions, our focus is on engineering compressed air system performance and efficiency is AIRnet. This aluminium and stainless steel
more energy-efficient machines and shaping pipe range provides optimal conditions so that high quality compressed air reaches the point
state-of-the-art technologies,” continues of use with the right pressure and flow. The anti-corrosive, rust-proof properties of aluminium
Prinsloo. “Fundamental to our third focus make it the industry standard for compressed air piping systems, ensuring less pressure drop and
area, the development of forward-thinking subsequently optimising air quality. Compliant with the highest quality standards, AIRnet Stainless
service solutions, are our analysing,
optimising and monitoring solutions that
assist users to unlock the full potential of
their compressed air systems and benefit
from reduced operating expenditure over the
air compressor’s life cycle, low total cost of
ownership and a rapid return on investment.”
To clinch this benefit-trio, users
need to understand their compressed
air system, know if it is efficient and
identify efficiency opportunities. Thus,
the first step in optimising a compressor
room starts with a reliable analysis
of the compressed air system. “Using
Atlas Copco’s AIRScan, we conduct a
comprehensive audit of the customer’s

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