COMPRESSED AIR
C
ompressed air is among the most widespread of commodities on manufacturing process lines across the world. In the food & beverage industry alone, it lends itself to a variety of applications, including controlling valves
and actuators in automated filling, packaging and bottling lines, or transporting powdered ingredients along pipes to their relevant destination.
No matter where compressed air may be found, the fact of the matter remains that production simply could not take place without it. For this reason, when multiple compressors failed at a large UK food & beverage manufacturer’s site, the immediate impact on operational efficiency, productivity and competitiveness was tangible.
NAVIGATING NEEDS
Naturally, the manufacturer looked to repair the compressors as a matter of priority, but soon ran into a key stumbling block. Due to global supply chain delays, the parts required to repair the compressor would take many weeks to arrive. Leaving production severely crippled for such a lengthy period was simply not an option, so the manufacturer was forced to look further afield in order to remedy the challenge. As such, Aggreko was called upon to bridge the gap while the business awaited the delivery of replacement components. Taking into account the urgency of the situation, Aggreko quickly arranged a site survey to develop a full
SUPPLYING OIL-FREE AIR IN AN EMERGENCY
When a compressor failure struck one of the nation’s largest food & beverage manufacturers, Aggreko was called upon to bridge the gap while a replacement was sourced, ensuring that production could continue, and profits were not affected.
understanding of the air volume and pressure required to tap into the site’s existing network. Critical to Aggreko’s specification was the need for oil-free air (OFA). Due to the hygiene- intensive requirements of the food & beverage industry, only ISO 8357-1 Class 0 oil-free can be used for most sector applications, in order to eliminate the risk of oil contamination and maintain product purity.
With these needs in mind, the Aggreko team created a bespoke package for the site, consisting of a 100 per cent OFA compressor, a dryer and a generator to independently power it all. Operating between 800 and 1600FMC with a pressure range of 4-10 bar, the compressor is designed and built to maximise energy efficiency while minimising noise levels, all without the need for large starting currents.
The entire solution was housed within a CSC- certified 20ft ISO high cube container, complete with its own air cooling system. This ensured
14 JUNE 2025 | FACTORY&HANDLINGSOLUTIONS
that the package could be quickly shipped to site and installed without difficulty, allowing production to resume quickly.
BRIDGING THE GAP
Thanks to Aggreko’s swift intervention, production was able to resume within just 24 hours. As a result, the manufacturer was able to avoid potential losses of up to £200,000 per day, with the solution remaining in place for 8 weeks while repairs were carried out. With Aggreko’s OFA compressor coming from its Greener Upgrades portfolio, the business was also able to benefit from greater efficiency, zero emissions and lower energy costs for the duration that it was on site.
Aggreko
www.aggreko.com
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