Atlas Copco - Annual Report 1999

COMPRESSOR TECHNIQUE
COMPRESSOR TECHNIQUE
New variable-speed models
further increase energy savings
Most industrial applications demand amounts of air that can vary by the day,
the hour, or the progress of the process. Recognizing this market need, Atlas
Copco developed a range of air compressors powered by variable-speed drives
(VSDs). Atlas Copco has now widened the availability of the VSD machines by
launching oil-free compressors in versions up to a power rating of 315 kW.
Variable-speed machines simply sense a drop in air demand
and reduce the speed of the machine, thus closely following
the air demand in the most efficient way. The outstanding
energy savings – up to 30 percent compared to conventional
regulation – provided by Atlas Copco’s previous models, as
well as benefits such as pressure stability and soft-start, has
48 ATLAS COPCO 1999
triggered substantial extra sales to customers
new and old.
The new models optimize benefits to
end-users in terms of energy savings and
shorter payback on investment, typically
one or two years depending on the air
consumption profile. The substantial
energy savings also mean a lower lifecycle
cost, in which energy costs account
for a very large portion.
These machines will find wide application throughout a
broad spectrum of industries. Potential customer segments
for the larger sizes include the automotive industry, air separation,
fermentation, water treatment, pharmaceuticals,
chemicals and petrochemicals, and power plants.