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Atlas Copco is so convinced that traditional lobe technology no longer meets the needs of today’s low-carbon economy that it is replacing its roots-type rotary lobe blowers.
Screw technology, on average, is 30% more energy-efficient compared to lobe technology. Industries and applications such as wastewater treatment, pneumatic conveying, power generation, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, pulp and paper, textiles, cement and general manufacturing stand to benefit from the energy savings by replacing the conventional lobe with the leading screw technology.
Stephan Kuhn, president of Atlas Copco’s Compressor Technique business area, says: “Atlas Copco innovates continuously to ensure sustainable productivity for our customers. They will benefit greatly from the average 30% energy savings achieved from our leading-edge screw technology compared to conventional lobe-type blowers. Atlas Copco customers are able to take advantage of tomorrow’s blower technology today.”
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “about 56 billion kWh is used for drinking water and wastewater services. Assuming an average mix of energy sources in the country, this equates to adding almost 45 million tons of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Just 10% of energy savings in this sector could collectively save about US$400 million annually.”
In a typical biological wastewater treatment plant, the aeration blower system accounts for up to 70% of the energy use. Millions of bacteria feed on organic waste, breaking it up into carbon dioxide, nitrogen gas and water. As the bacteria need oxygen, large amounts of air are blown into the aeration tanks.
Today the majority of these plants use less-efficient lobe technology, a technology that has had little development since its introduction in the late 19th century. By reducing the energy use of their aeration blower system, these plants will decrease their energy costs while operating in a more environment-friendly manner.
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Chris Lybaert, president of Atlas Copco’s Oil-Free Air division, adds: “Energy consumption typically represents 80% of the lifecycle costs of a blower. By introducing screw technology to our air blower range, we now offer a complete product portfolio of compressors and blowers for all applications and processes below 4 bar(e)/58 psig. Atlas Copco’s screw technology helps customers to save energy, which is a major advantage in a highly-competitive marketplace.”
The performance of the new ZS screw blower was tested against a tri-lobe blower by the independent Technische Überwachungs-Verein (German Technical Monitoring Association, or TÜV), according to the international standard ISO 1217, edition 4. It was proven that the ZS is 23.8% more energy-efficient than a tri-lobe blower at 0.5 bar(e)/7 psig, and 39.7% at 0.9 bar(e)/13 psig.
The world-class efficiency of the new ZS screw blower is attributed mainly to the superior screw technology. Other important features that secure increased efficiency and reliability are the integrated gearbox, the oil system and the innovative design that integrates all individual components into a plug-and-run solution.
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