With Europe experiencing soaring energy prices, and compressed air accountable for between 12 to as much as 40 per cent of all the industrial energy consumed^[1], many businesses are considering what steps they can take to minimise costs and improve the efficiency of their operations. Now is an opportune moment for energy-intensive organisations to take advantage of heat recovery, oil-free technology and digital analytics, says one of the industrial compressed air leaders, CompAir.

In the first quarter of 2022, short-term gas prices on the largest European exchange were five times higher than their 2021 average^[2], and future markets are pricing European gas at up to three times its 2021 levels for at least the next three years. However, CompAir is advising compressed air users that action can be taken now to help protect their investments for the future.

Here are some top tips that CompAir recommends, with advice on the company’s latest compressed air technologies, to help lower energy costs and optimise efficiency levels.

Opt for oil-free screw compressors

While most production-sensitive environments, such as those in the food and beverage or pharmaceutical sectors, will opt for an oil-free compressor, many other businesses would benefit from the efficiencies that an oil-free model can deliver. In many cases, whole life costs are reduced, with businesses able to save on the cost of oil replacement, and there’s no requirement for additional products such as oil separators.

CompAir offers a wide range of oil-free compressor technologies, including screw and piston machines.  Its advanced Ultima compressor operates completely oil-free, with the cooling of components achieved via a closed water circuit.

Each airend is driven individually by a variable speed, permanent magnet synchronous motor, offering exceptional levels of efficiency versus traditional oil-free technology.

Take advantage of the latest oil-lubricated screw compressor technology

However, for those seeking an upgrade to an oil-lubricated system plus air treatment, the latest oil-lubricated technologies have been developed to optimise sustainability throughout the compressor’s lifecycle. CompAir’s FourCore range combines best-in-class compressed air efficiency with a small footprint and sustainable design for eco-conscious businesses.

For example, when carbon emissions from a new 160 kW FourCore model are compared with a traditional compressor, running for 8,000 hours a year, the FourCore system reduces the equivalent greenhouse gas emissions of 32 passenger cars, or 371,800 miles driven by a passenger car, over the course of one year. This is the same amount of carbon sequestered by 181 acres of forest.

Furthermore, when compared with a conventional two-stage compressor, the new 200 kW model uses 22 per cent less materials and can help cut waste by up to 19 per cent.

And when compared with previous single-stage compressors in this size range from CompAir, the new models are up to 8 per cent more efficient, offering a best-in-class oil-lubricated solution for decision makers.

Treat air correctly

Modern production systems and processes demand compressed air of ever-increasing purity. The proper specification of downstream equipment will not only further improve the quality and efficiency of a compressed air system but reduce its environmental impact too.

CompAir offers a wide range of compressed air treatment solutions including filtration, refrigeration and absorption dryers and condensate management systems. High-quality consumables, such as filter elements with a long service life, ensure low component wear and consistently low differential pressure.

Heat recovery

Meanwhile, taking advantage of measures such as heat recovery represents a considerable opportunity to lower energy costs, by recycling excess heat and using it to a site’s advantage. With typically only 10 per cent of the electrical energy input being converted into compressed air, the remaining 90 per cent is generally wasted as heat. By fitting a heat recovery unit to a compressor, the system can ‘recapture’ energy lost during the compression process and use it for other useful purposes. For example, it can supplement the electricity, gas or oil needed to generate hot water for washrooms or process water. Alternatively, it can be transferred as direct warm air into a workspace or facility.

CompAir offers multiple turnkey heat-recovery solutions for its oil-free and oil-lubricated screw compressors, both factory fitted and retrofittable. This allows for easy ‘plug-and-play’ installation and an immediate realisation of energy and cost savings.

Drive improvements with digital insights

The Internet of Things and data analytics can help operators to understand how efficiently a compressor is running, and whether any improvements can be made. These insights will not only help highlight any potential issues now, but also enable operators to forecast any potential future problems, based on deteriorating machine performance.

Predictive maintenance models based on real-time data can be established to help reduce energy consumption, improve process efficiencies and limit any risks. Connectivity continues to be a key focus in the CompAir portfolio, with the company’s iConn service offering intelligent insights that help operators monitor a system’s performance in both real-time and remotely.

Accessible from smartphones and tablets, the browser-based system ensures users can proactively manage any potential issues that arise at all times, reducing associated downtime and guaranteeing the system is performing as required.

Guaranteed assurance with service agreements

To help companies avoid unplanned and unbudgeted downtime, as well as production interruptions, CompAir has launched a series of new Assure service agreements. Available to all compressed air users, no matter the manufacturer or age of the equipment, these help businesses optimise operational efficiencies, mitigate risks, and streamline working practices by ensuring customers only need to deal with one compressed air supplier.

From the entry level, AssurePLAN, which covers the timely replacement of consumable components such as oil and air filters, separators, and oil, with a 12-month warranty on these assets, to the most comprehensive, AssureCOMPLETE, which ensures all operational risk for a compressed air system is transferred to CompAir, a service agreement is available to meet a business’ exact needs.

In addition, these agreements include genuine spare parts. While a non-genuine part may be cheaper, it can compromise the compressed air investment in the long run and end up costing a business more. In contrast, genuine parts are manufactured to meet the same high standards as the compressors they are intended for.

Don’t leak profit

It’s essential to manage pipework leaks. Air leaks are the leading cause of energy loss in industrial air systems, wasting as much as 20 to 30 per cent of the system’s output. There are many reasons for leaks in a compressed air system, including shut-off valves and manual condensate valves being left open, as well as leaking hoses, couplings, pipes, flanges and pipe joints.

With a leak as small as 3mm potentially costing over €800 in wasted energy^[3], one solution is a simple leak detection survey, which can identify any problems quickly so remedial action can be taken. Alternatively, a flow meter is a reliable means of evaluating compressed air generation and downstream inefficiency costs. Indeed, finding and repairing one 3mm leak could potentially save enough money to cover the cost of purchasing one.

Undertake an energy audit

Whether it’s buying a new compressor or upgrading an existing system, a sensible starting point is to always undertake a full site energy audit. This will establish current compressed air usage and costs, help identify air leaks to determine where energy is being lost and where cost savings could be made, and test air quality to ensure the compressed air generated meets the right standards. Not only does an energy audit help lower a business’ total cost of ownership, it also helps reduce environmental impact too.

To find out more, please visit https://www.compair.com/en-gb/sustainable-compressed-air

^[1] British Compressed Air Society

^[2] McKinsey, ‘Outsprinting the energy crisis’, https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/operations/our-insights/outsprinting-the-energy-crisis

^[3] The Carbon Trust, ‘How companies can save money from thin air’, https://www.carbontrust.com/news-and-events/news/how-companies-can-save-money-from-thin-air