Do you need a variable speed drive compressor?
July 01st 2008

As industry endeavours to cut energy consumption, to both reduce operating costs and to help the environment, the cost of producing compressed air is coming ever more under the microscope.

Since variable speed drive compressors are able to adjust supply according to demand, they have been seen as the key solution by many companies, to drive down the cost of producing compressed air.

In many cases this is true and over recent years Mattei has continued to invest in its variable speed technology through its OPTIMA range of compressors. These are available from 11kW-90kW with a capacity range from 1.19m3/min – 16.47m3/min (42cfm – 582cfm). OPTIMA offers the highest energy efficiency across its operating range and has off load power consumptions as low as 12%.

However saving energy isn’t necessarily all about variable speed drives.

EVALUATING COMPRESSED AIR

Before proceeding with the potentially inappropriate replacement of a compressor, it is essential that the compressed air requirements both now and where possible in the future are fully understood.

Many companies believe, or are told, that they have a variable compressed air demand and therefore assume that investing in a variable speed compressor is the way to save energy and therefore money.

This however is not always the case and before selecting a compressor, it is important to have a reputable company survey the compressed air system. The survey should include data logging over a period of at least 7 days to help provide a balanced profile of current usage. This should be followed by discussions to identify reasons for any unusual patterns as well as to review of any potential planned process changes.

It is also advisable to consider leak detection as part of the overall system survey. Many companies are wasting well in excess of 20% of air generated, simply to serve leaks in compressed air systems. Identifying and repairing leaks is a simple and highly cost effective way to reduce the cost of compressed air.

Heat recovery systems offer another potential source of highly significant energy savings. These can recover up to 85% of the absorbed electrical power from a compressor. This can be used to provide hot water for process, heating or sanitary purposes as well as space heating.

In real terms there is no “best compressor”. However the best combination between the compressor and the specific compressed air needs can always be found. Mattei Compressors Ltd offers a range of products and services designed to maximise the overall efficiency of compressed air systems.

Whether a Constant or Variable demand – Mattei has an energy efficient solution to offer; For a constant 24/7 demand then Mattei’s MAXIMA range is the answer; designed specifically for this purpose, it produces 1m3/min (35cfm) of compressed air using as little as an unrivalled 5.4kW of electricity. The OPTIMA range provides the solution for a variable demand. For those companies with a constant base load and a variable demand on top, then a combination of MAXIMA and OPTIMA will provide savings that no other compressor combination can match.

To find out how much money can be saved by updating your compressed air system, contact Mattei or one of its approved distributors. It is not uncommon for capital expenditure costs to be recovered in less than 2 years and as an additional benefit, Carbon Trust interest free loans are available, subject to certain qualifying conditions.

MATTEI ROTARY VANE TECHNOLOGY - ENERGY EFFICIENCY AT ITS BEST

Mattei Compressors Ltd is the UK subsidiary of ING Enea Mattei SpA, the leader in the development and manufacture of highly efficient Rotary Vane air compressors.

With over 85 years experience in the design and manufacture of air compressors, Mattei has for the last 50 years, designed and manufactured its own rotary vane compressors with great success. The Company is dedicated to continual research and development to ensure its technology is constantly evolving to meet the changing requirements of industry, particularly with regard to energy efficiency.

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