COMPRESSED AIR
The whole project required close coordination with the timing and progress of the new facility’s capital plant installations and was completed over a total period of twelve months.
THE AIRNET SYSTEM — ALUMINIUM PIPING FOR INDUSTRIAL RELIABILITY Although galvanised steel compressed air pipework has been the industry standard for many years, major industry players worldwide like Hitachi Rail are replacing it with Atlas Copco’s AIRnet – a lightweight, durable aluminium/polymer component network which, by minimising pressure drop penalties, contributes substantially to energy savings, air quality and production efficiency.
Steel pipe is heavy, its threaded joints require careful preparation, and its inner surfaces are not smooth. As a result, this restricts flow and promotes pressure drop, which equates to energy loss. In contrast, Atlas Copco’s AIRnet lightweight, highly durable modular network system of corrosion- resistant aluminium pipes, together with self- aligning, fully sealed polymer fittings with integrated O-rings, eliminates the possibility of costly leaks – and they can be significant. A pressure drop of 1 bar can result in a 7% increase in energy consumption.
Size for size, AIRnet pipework, constructed in ISO 8573-1certified 1:2:0 class aluminium, weighs 5 times less than its steel equivalent. It is extremely robust and quick and easy to install. Fitting the pipework takes about one third of the time compared to that for a conventional system. Also, there is no time-consuming screw cutting and no need for any special tools or lifting equipment. AIRnet pipes can be simply pushed into the polymer fitting, tightened by hand and secured with a spanner. When the aluminium AIRnet pipe is cut to size, there is no risk of corrosion of the exposed metal and thus no risk of leakage. The AIRnet system offers pipework with smooth, anodised internal surfaces as standard, which minimises pressure drop penalties and performs a vital role in ensuring that the air supply is kept clean to protect downstream equipment and sensitive production processes. Furthermore, the piping system can be connected to any existing network and can be modified easily to meet any changes on the industrial floor layout. AIRnet answers these needs with a wide range of interchangeable and reusable fittings designed to support upgrades in layout and capacity.
AIRNET STAINLESS STEEL INSTALLATION
In the same way as the AIRnet aluminium compressed air network, the new fabrication area’s 35mm argon supply ring main is constructed in EN10088 standard stainless steel with push fit connection to achieve a non-corrosive, durable system that does not affect the quality of the gases transported. This minimises maintenance costs and the costs related to protection of downstream equipment, processes, and applications. The system is conceived to offer high performance over decades that assists in achieving strict quality control within production operations.
PERFORMANCE AND PRODUCTIVITY BENEFITS With regard to Atlas Copco’s product standards and overall progress with the AIRnet pipework installation process, Colin Trevor, said: “The company’s co- operation and timing, plus the product quality, performance and productivity benefits of the Atlas Copco pipework system installation has contributed substantially to the success of this project”.
Atlas Copco
www.atlascopco.com FHS-APR22-SEPURA.qxp_FHS-APR22-SEPURA 08/04/2022 15:31 Page 1
FACTORY&HANDLINGSOLUTIONS | OCTOBER 2022 35
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