April 2014, Vol. 69 No. 4
New Products
Atlas Copco Takes Energy Efficiency Of Centrifugal Compressors To Next Level
Atlas Copco has launched a new, highly energy-efficient centrifugal compressor range which saves up to 7% on specific energy at full load and up to another 9% at part load.
Delivered as a plug-and-run package, the new Atlas Copco’s ZH 355+ – 900+ oil-free centrifugal compressor range employs advanced aerodynamics to reduce energy consumption in the core. Coupled with this, all the components of the package are designed based on Computational Flow Dynamic (CFD) analysis to drastically reduce pressure drops in the package. The result is a reduction of specific energy up to 7% at full load compared to the previous model. Inlet guide vanes (IGVs), which are part of Atlas Copco’s standard scope of supply, further reduce energy cost by 9% at part loads as compared to a throttle valve control. As energy consumption constitutes about 80% of the life cycle cost of a compressor, users will benefit from day one, reducing the overall total cost of ownership.
Other than energy efficiency, reliability is a very important aspect. To ensure continuous production for the users ZH centrifugal compressors from Atlas Copco employ high-end features to ensure maximum uptime. Milled impellers and servo controlled inlet guide vanes (IGV) are only two examples of the entire list that contributes to a trouble free performance and high lifetimes.
The third aspect is the Class 0 certified quality of air. A fail-safe and unique sealing system prevents the possibility of contamination of the air with oil, without the need of any external buffer air. Oil fumes from the gear box are captured by a motorized demister, thus eliminating the risk of ingestion of oil fumes along with the intake air. This safeguards the end product of the customers against oil contamination.
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