PROCESS EQUIPMENT UPDATE
QUIETER AND CLEANER Perhaps the most significant drawback of pneumatic and hydraulic industrial gas boosters is the sound levels produced during operation. In some cases, many multiples of the units are used in parallel, particularly when higher flow rates are required. Te combined noise generated can be excessive. “Pneumatic-driven gas boosters are
extremely loud during operation, and even louder if multiple units work in parallel, which can make complying with OSHA regulations related to sound levels in the plant more difficult,” says George Volk from Haskel, a division of Ingersoll Rand that manufactures gas/liquid transfer and pressurisation technology. According to Volk, the operation of typical air-operated and hydraulic- driven gas boosters can exceed the 85- dBA threshold, which can cause hearing loss. In fact, OSHA requires employers to implement a hearing conservation programme when noise exposure is at or above 85dB averaged over eight working hours, or an eight-hour time-weighted average. Hearing conservation programmes
strive to prevent initial occupational hearing loss, preserve and protect remaining hearing, and equip workers with the knowledge and hearing protection devices necessary to safeguard themselves. Under OSHA’s Noise
Standard, the employer must reduce noise exposure through engineering controls, administrative controls, or Hearing Protection Devices (HPDs) to attenuate the occupational noise received by the employee’s ears to within levels specified. In contrast, advanced industrial electric gas boosters such as the Q-Drive, which is scheduled for release in 2020 by Haskel, is much quieter (<70dBA) during operation, while still offering up to 6,500psi for high-pressure applications. “Tis eliminates the need for regulatory
scrutiny, along with hearing conservation programmes,” says Volk. “Te use of the electric units can also streamline production, since workers can spend more time in the vicinity without worrying about exceeding the regulations or potential hearing loss.”
LEAKS AND SPILLS In addition to the noise produced (even though it is less than air-powered units), there can be some concern that hydraulic gas boosters might leak or spill hydraulic oil. Tis can be a deterrent for applications that mandate a certain level of cleanliness, including cleanrooms. “Whenever you have hydraulics, there is the potential for leaks or spills,” explains Volk. “Tat is essentially the reason the automotive industry moved away from hydraulics in their production line – because of the potential contamination issues.”
Electric energy consumption is also a concern. Despite being electric-powered, the more advanced units are more energy efficient than both pneumatic and hydraulically driven boosters. “Compared to pneumatic gas boosters, advanced electric units use one-third of the energy and offer flow rates 10 to 20 times higher,” says Volk. “Compared to hydraulic boosters, the electric units also provide energy savings due to lower cooling requirements.” Although there are several electric-
driven gas boosters on the market, even within the category there can be significant design differences. Some of the early market entrants are designs that employ a gearbox to convert the rotary motion of the motor to reciprocating, which increases complexity and the amount of maintenance required. More advanced units are built using a simplified linear actuator drive which enhances reliability and reduced the mean time between failure (MTBF). Both pneumatic and hydraulic gas boosters can also be difficult to control with much specificity, which makes their operation less efficient. Today’s more advanced units include sophisticated remote and self-diagnostic capabilities. Units such as the Q-Drive come with human machine interface (HMI) and touchpad control to allow operators to monitor and control pressure and temperature closely and easily change setpoints.
BROAD APPEAL Given the inherent drawbacks of pneumatic and hydraulic gas boosters, Volk believes quieter, cleaner, easier operation of electric-powered units will have considerable appeal for applications ranging from hydrogen fuelling to pressure testing, refrigerant charging,
relief valve testing, valve actuation and many others. “With the considerable
R&D investment in these more advanced electric gas boosters, many of the shortcomings of pneumatic and hydraulic units have been
Q-Drive is quieter than pneumatic-driven products 12
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resolved and this opens up new possibilities for applications at high flow rates and pressures,” concludes Volk.
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