2013 Product of the Year finalists: Compressed Air

Finalists in the Compressed Air category for the Plant Engineering 2013 Product of the Year competition.

By Amanda McLeman November 18, 2013

Compact, oil-injected rotary screw compressors

The GA VSD+ range of compact, oil-injected rotary screw compressors reduce energy consumption by 50% compared to a traditional load/unload compressor. The 7 to 15 kW (10 to 20 hp) GA VSD+ range, including a full-feature version with an integrated dryer, is also 15% more efficient than the previous generation and offers a 12% improvement in free air delivery. The range was designed with energy efficiency and customer needs in mind, with a motor that exceeds NEMA Premium efficiency requirements. The motor and drivetrain share a single drive shaft and are vertically aligned, reducing the total footprint by up to 55%.

Atlas Copco
www.atlascopco.com 


Integrally geared centrifugal compressors

The TURBO-AIR NX 12000 line of integrally geared centrifugal (IGC) compressors optimizes flow and efficiency for the air separation, steel, mining, automotive, aerospace, and petrochemical industries. The robust and stout machine design features the MAESTRO Universal SP control system, a compact, high-performance lubrication system, five-axis milled impellers, a compression cooling system, tilting pad thrust bearings, horizontally split gas and oil seals, and variable inlet guide vanes. IGC compressors provide a wide operating range, can typically throttle back over 30% from design flow conditions, and ensure higher reliability as well as a decrease in lifetime maintenance costs due to the minimal number of rotating components.

Cameron
www.c-a-m.com/cs 


Two-stage, oil-free rotary screw compressors

The 75 to 160 kW air cooled CompAir D-Series of two-stage, oil-free rotary screw compressors feature flow rates between 8.88 and 23.56 m3/min. The D-Series offers air purity that meets the most stringent standards, has been certified ISO 8573-1 Class 0 (2010), and is silicone-free. Ideal for the pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, chemicals, and electronics industries, these compressors deliver outstanding reliability for demanding applications, state-of-the-art performance, and in-depth control from a Delcos XL controller. The design of the D-Series lowers lifecycle costs by working at constant low temperature levels, maximizing energy savings up to 25%.

CompAir
www.compair.com 


Flat air nozzle

The 1-in Flat Super Air Nozzle produces a flat 1-in.-wide airstream with a strong blowing force of 9.8 oz when mounted 12 in. from the target. The unique design of this super-efficient nozzle makes it an ideal fit for both tight spaces and tight budgets. The 1-in. Flat Super Air Nozzle maximizes entrained airflow while reducing noise levels. A precise amount of air is released through the 0.0150-in. air gap opening that is set with a stainless steel shim positioned between the body and removable cap. The airstream pulls in surrounding room air to product a wide, forceful stream of high-velocity, laminar flow.

EXAIR Corporation
www.exair.com 


Air-cooled, oil-free screw compressors

The EnviroAire T/TVS Series of air-cooled, fixed and variable speed screw compressors range from 75 to 160 kW and are completely oil and silicone free. ISO 8573-1 Class 0 certified, the EnviroAire T/TVS Series offers improved efficiencies and are manufactured to meet the precise requirements of a diverse range of industries. Designed and built for continuous use in demanding application areas in up to 45 C ambient temperatures, the EnviroAire T/TVS Series uses a Gardner Denver designed and manufactured two-stage air-end that ensures exceptionally low power consumption while providing the highest outputs with absolute reliability and performance efficiency.

Gardner Denver
www.gardnerdenver.com 


Rotary screw compressors

The BSD Series of rotary screw compressors are available in 40, 50, and 60 hp with flows from 157 to 294 cfm and pressures up to 217 psig. These compressors deliver energy efficiency through a combination of true direct drive design, premium efficiency motors, and lower internal pressure differential and optimized air-ends. Specific power is improved by up to 6%, and the built-in heat recovery options add to the energy savings capabilities. The BSD Series features include an enhanced cooling design, eco-friendly filter element, integral moisture separator with drain, and an electronic thermal management system. They also come standard with Sigma Control 2.

Kaeser Compressors
www.us.kaeser.com 


Industrial blowers

The Com-paK BB69C/BB89C blowers from Kaeser Compressors are fully integrated units that arrive on-site ready for use and include a motor with an automatic V-belt drive tensioning device, inlet/outlet silencers, a full sound enclosure, starts/drives, a full complement of sensors, and an onboard controller. These 5 and 20 hp units are designed, built, and tested to meet international and domestic performance and safety standards, and are available in both STC (wye-delta start) and OFC (variable frequency drive) versions. The BB69C and BB89C include Sigma Control 2 with Omega Control software. ModBus, Profibus, Profinet, and DeviceNet interfaces are available.

Kaeser Compressors
www.us.kaeser.com 


High-capacity refrigerated dryers

The TK-TM Series of modular high-capacity refrigerated dryers are ideal for large compressed air systems and utilize digital scroll refrigeration technology to offer effective energy savings. These water-cooled dryers have flow capacities that vary from 1,250 to 12,500 scfm, based on combinations of 2,500 and 1,250 scfm modules. Each module has air-side isolation valves, a cooling water control valve, and cooling water isolation valves, allowing individual modules to be serviced without disrupting the system airflow. Each module in the TK-TM Series features its own electrical disconnect switch for ease of maintenance.

Kaeser Compressors
www.us.kaeser.com 

Original content can be found at Oil and Gas Engineering.


Author Bio: Amanda McLeman is the research director and project manager of awards programs for CFE Media and Technology.