FEATURE COMPRESSED AIR
ErP DIRECTIVE WILL INCREASE compressor efficiencies
Though the exact details of the forthcoming ErP still need to be ironed out huge changes to the compressed air industry can be expected, says Andy Jones, managing director at Mattei
proportion of compressors on the market today (as much as 40%) will no longer be legally sellable so huge changes are in store for the compressed air industry, requiring significant R&D. Many manufacturers will need to use
E
nergy efficiency requirements for compressors are set to become
tighter through the Ecodesign Directive for compressors or ErP (Energy-related Products) Directive. The introduction of more stringent requirements will mean that the majority of manufacturers will need to make improvements to their compressors in order for them to still be sold. This will in turn deliver energy savings for end users while reducing carbon emissions. The background to this is that on 21 October 2009 the Directive 2009/125/EC: establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy-related products (ErP) was adopted by the EU. The ErP Directive applies to energy- related products sold in the domestic, commercial and industrial sectors in the European Economic Area. Energy-related products use energy or have an indirect impact on energy consumption and account for a large proportion of energy use across the EU. They have significant potential to be improved to reduce their environmental impact and achieve energy savings, leading to economic benefits for consumers and businesses. There are dozens of product groups (Lots) under scrutiny and so far the focus has been on the largest consumers of natural resources and energy which have the most potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The main consideration is on energy performance in use, whether of the product itself or the impact it has on energy use once installed. Being a framework directive ErP doesn’t set the
12 MAY 2015 | FACTORY EQUIPMENT
minimum environmental requirements. Instead, these are adopted through specific implementing measures for each group of products in its scope or through voluntary agreements. Implementing measures are introduced after a process of initial study and discussion with key stakeholders and national regulators. They set specific, mandatory requirements which are then introduced for each product group, usually in the form of EU regulations. In order to legally place their products on the market manufacturers must meet the requirements of the regulation, conforming to the energy and environmental standards. If there are conflicting laws in place they are superseded by the EU regulation so that the rules come into effect across the EU at the same time. The ErP preparatory study on
compressors – Lot 31 (covering standard air compressors/general industry compressors up to 375kW) – began in December 2012. The report looked at how much electrical power is being used by compressors within the scope of the study across Europe and suggested various scenarios to reduce energy consumption. The exact details are yet to be confirmed and the associated regulations are some way off being published. However, if the route currently being recommended is taken it’s likely that in the near future a significant
Replacing an ageing compressor with a more efficient model will deliver energy and carbon savings but the system needs to be appropriately designed, leak- free and properly maintained for these to be fully realised
more efficient electric motors and drives. However, Mattei’s use of vane technology gives us an advantage and although we believe all of our current machines are likely to fall within the acceptable limits we won’t sit back on our laurels and are well underway with further improving the efficiency of the compression process. Mattei’s R&D department has carried out successful trials on further enhancing the efficiency of some of our compressors. We have some exciting patents in place which will allow us to improve the energy efficiency of a compressed air system to previously unheard of levels within the near future. Visitors to the Hannover exhibition in
April 2015 had the opportunity to examine our ultra-high performance Maxima Xtreme prototype. With a redesigned compression unit and oil injection system plus a 1:1 ratio between the low rotational speed of the electric motor and the compression unit (just 1,000 rpm) the Maxima Xtreme offers unrivalled ultra-high performance and efficiency from as low as 5.2kW/m³/min. Compressors are set to become more
efficient in line with the ErP Directive but it must be remembered that this is only one part of the picture. Replacing an ageing compressor with a more efficient model will almost certainly deliver energy and carbon savings but the system needs to be appropriately designed, leak-free and properly maintained for these to be fully realised. Mattei is committed to improving the energy efficiency of compressed air systems and welcomes the requirement for such products in line with the ErP Directive. We believe it will help to lower energy costs and carbon emissions and make investment in a new compressor even more attractive for end users.
Mattei T: 01789 450577
www.mattei.co.uk Enter 305
/ FACTORYEQUIPMENT
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