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COMPRESSORS & COMPRESSED AIR SPEED TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY
Stephen Taylor, Territory Leader UK, Ireland, Nordics, A&GS Europe at Ingersoll Rand, explores the benefits of variable- speed compressor technology and how it can help operators to reduce their electricity consumption and contribute to
sustainability goals A .
ccording to a recent survey by MAKE UK, the Manufacturers’ Organisation, 42 per cent of manufacturers reported that their electricity bills had risen by 100 per cent in the past 12 months, with 53 per cent predicting the same situation in the coming year1
Against this backdrop of soaring energy prices, many businesses are considering the steps they can take to minimise costs and improve the efficiency of their operations – particularly in relation to their compressed air consumption, which can account for up to 10 per cent of all the electricity consumed by industry.
Traditionally, compressors have used fixed speed motors, which means they run at a constant speed, and produce a fixed amount of compressed air per minute, regardless of air demand. In most scenarios, it is unlikely that the exact amount of compressed air generated will be required. This means the compressor can potentially
COMPAIR LAUNCHES ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGN
Compressed air generation is said to account for as much as 10 per cent of all the electricity consumed by industry, so CompAir is incentivising its customers to lower their energy bills and their carbon footprint, by investing in the latest energy-efficient compressed air technology.
The new environmental campaign, in partnership with Carbon Footprint, commits to planting one tree for every CompAir or Hydrovane variable-speed compressor sold in the UK. The campaign aims to plant hundreds of trees, across a variety of regions in the UK - one for each energy-efficient compressor purchased.
In addition, the company will be supporting a biodiversity reserve project in Rimba Raya in Borneo, Indonesia, with the aim of offsetting 200 tCO2e of its own emissions from its operations.
be creating compressed air that ends up being wasted. In addition, fixed speed compressors run unloaded, as the stress of an engine start-up would put pressure on the motor. This can be a waste of energy as the machine is running
without producing any compressed air. In contrast, variable speed compressors can start and stop under full system pressure. They use an intelligent drive system to alter the speed of the motor constantly and to match the air generated to the required process demand. This allows for the required high speeds for compression, while generating sufficient flow to meet plant requirements, hence minimising power consumption.
A positive impact on productivity This technology can have a positive impact on businesses productivity, efficiency and sustainability levels. When compared with a fixed speed compressor, a variable speed model can achieve energy savings of up to 30 per cent, and can help reduce power surges, avoiding peak currents from starting the compressor’s motor. Furthermore, precise electrical controls ensure motors can be easily slowed down, stopped, or revved up. The risk of leaks is minimised through the lower system pressure that is achieved with a variable speed drive. Minimising leaks in a compressed air network is another key benefit, and one of the most important energy saving measures for businesses. The Carbon Trust reports that a 3mm hole could cost over £1,000 a year in wasted energy2
–
not to mention the associated impact on the environment, from generating all this lost energy.
8 FEBRUARY 2023 | PROCESS & CONTROL
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