POWER, ENERGY & RENEWABLES C
ompressed air usage represents a significant proportion of electricity costs at manufacturing plants, food production facilities, machine shops,
packaging plants, garages, body shops and woodyards – essentially any facility using compressed air. A big part of the solution is to get savvy about specifying the optimal technology, notably the compressor. The energy costs linked to an air compressor’s operation during its service life represent more than 80 per cent of total lifecycle costs. There are three principal compressor metrics to consider: specific energy; greater FAD (free air delivery) performance; and a wider operating range to suit varying demand. The specific energy value reveals how
much power (kW) is used to generate a specific volume of compressed air (1m³). Users unfortunately often overlook this highly accurate measure of an air compressor’s energy efficiency. However, NOBEL PM series models from Power System, available from FPS Air Compressors, deliver a three to eight per cent better specific energy performance in comparison with competitor alternatives. Regarding the second metric, the maximum
available capacity is important because a compressor with better FAD performance is able to cope with peaks in demand that would otherwise require an additional or even larger, higher energy consuming compressor. NOBEL PM models provide extremely high maximum capacity figures compared with competitors. For example, the 22kW NOBEL 24 DVPM has an FAD performance delivering over 4,500 l/min, which is almost 10 per cent better than industry peers. The third metric considers the operating range of a variable-speed compressor. This factor is important in satisfying the fluctuating demands of production and in preventing the air compressor from entering an ‘idle’ state, which is extremely wasteful in energy. To avoid this situation, NOBEL DVPM models operate with a wide range of between 15 per cent and 100 per
HOW TO CUT THE ENERGY CONSUMPTION OF
COMPRESSED AIR SYSTEMS
FPS Air Compressors can provide a number of tips and initiatives to reduce the energy consumed by compressed air systems. In particular, the company offers the new NOBEL PM series of oil-injected rotary screw compressors, which feature IE4 permanent magnet motors, variable speed drives and an extended airflow range for the highest level of energy efficiency and quiet operation. This industry-leading performance helps to counter the current trend of spiralling energy costs, which look likely to remain high for the foreseeable future, compared with the operating costs of a standard compressor. As an example, a user operating a 37 kW Nobel DVPM air compressor can enjoy savings of up to £25,000 a year or more.
cent of available capacity. There are many reasons for the high- efficiency performance levels of NOBEL DVPM air compressors, not least the
introduction of permanent magnet motors and high-performance inverters. These technologies help compressed air users to take advantage of IE4 ‘Super Premium’ class
12
Spring 2023 UKManufacturing
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48
