https://www.engineeringnews.co.za

New pumps suited to packaging, food and beverage industries

GHS VSD ROTARY SCREW PUMP The range provides significantly higher performance levels and reduced maintenance, noise and heat emissions compared to conventional oil-sealed and dry vane vacuum pumps

RICHARD OXLEY The new units deliver more cubic metre per hour, per kilowatt than any other vacuum pump of comparable capacity

14th July 2017

     

Font size: - +

In May, sustainable productivity solutions provider Atlas Copco announced that it had extended its range of variable-speed drive (VSD) vacuum pumps with the addition of three models offering flow rates up to 5 004 m3/h.

The new GHS 3800-5400 VSD+ rotary screw pumps are particularly suited for large industrial vacuum users in glass, plastics, canning and food packaging industries.

Companies in these sectors stand to reduce their energy consumption by up to 50% if they upgrade their existing centralised vacuum systems or switch from using multiple, decentralised point-of-use pumps to a central vacuum system based on one or two super-efficient GHS VSD+ machines.

At the time, Atlas Copco UK vacuum product manager Richard Oxley commented that he had seen for himself the positive results at a company in the food packaging industry that Atlas Copco predicted could save in excess of £16 000 a year in energy costs by replacing their existing centralised system with a smaller number of GHS VSD+ pumps. “Following this, an independent energy auditor was brought in to verify the results – while the pumps were on trial – who further upgraded the potential savings to the region of £20 000 a year.”

Atlas Copco says the GHS VSD+ pumps provide significantly higher performance levels and reduced maintenance, noise and heat emissions compared with conventional oil-sealed and dry vane vacuum pumps. “When installed as part of a central vacuum system, they can be used to precisely tailor vacuum production to meet customers’ demand.”

All the pumps are equipped with easy-to-use Elektronikon controllers that can be integrated into a process control system and also control other manufacturers’ vacuum pumps. They are also fitted with a Smartlink remote monitoring system and VSD, making them extremely economical to run. Additionally, the pressure set point control function ensures the pumps deliver the lowest possible vacuum flow with which the required vacuum can be maintained. As a result, no excess energy is wasted and life cycle operating expenses are significantly reduced.

“The payback period for a converted system is extremely short. The new units deliver more cubic metre per hour a kilowatt than any other vacuum pump of comparable capacity,” said Oxley.

The company also noted that as a result of the extremely high oil retention capacity of the GHS VSD+, environmental impact at all operating pressures is significantly lower, compared with similar sized oil-injected vacuum pumps. “The range also now includes a patented oil separator that limits residual oil levels to a maximum of 3 mg/m3. This means the exhaust air is significantly more environment-friendly in comparison with other pumps on the market,” Oxley reported.

The cooling system is equipped with an electronic thermostatic valve that accurately controls the oil temperature. Consequently, the oil retains its optimum consistency, as any entrainment of water to the oil cycle by condensation is avoided.

Moreover, the cooling system operates with a speed-controlled fan to minimise energy requirements. The vacuum pumps in the GHS VSD+ series are available with water or air cooling.

The GHS VSD+ range, which previously offered a maximum flow rate of 1 810 m3/h and has now been extended upwards to 5 004 m3/h, is specifically designed to reduce maintenance requirements and ensure life cycle costs are kept low.

Atlas Copco cites, for instance, the fact that there are no rotary vanes to replace and the patented, sturdy screw element does not require maintenance for many years. In addition, intake filters and oil separators can be replaced without dismantling any piping. Service intervals are generally long and operators can obtain information on any required maintenance work in a quick time by connecting the pump’s integrated Smartlink remote monitoring system to a plant’s communication network.

Atlas Copco supplies GHS VSD+ pumps as part of a plug-and-play system within a single housing. Installation is quick and simple, saving both time and space. The units have a smaller footprint than other pumps of comparable capacity. The models are also considerably quieter than comparable pumps and comply with environmental and energy management systems.

Additionally, the technology enables shorter production cycle times because the pump reacts quickly to changed process conditions in the pressure range relevant for the user. Meanwhile, the special inlet control valve, which is operated in close liaison with the VSD, allows energy consumption to be minimised even further.

“Optional energy recovery components can be integrated into the system, allowing users to recover a large amount of the heat that is unavoidably generated by compression without sacrificing pump performance,” the company added, noting that recoverable energy levels of about 75% are possible in some applications.

Energy recovery also keeps heat release in the vicinity of the units to a minimum. This means that air conditioning systems are not needed for nearby work stations, which is especially important in food packaging environments.

Edited by Zandile Mavuso
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor: Features

Comments

Showroom

GreaseMax
GreaseMax

GreaseMax is a chemically operated automatic lubricator.

VISIT SHOWROOM 
Booyco Electronics
Booyco Electronics

Booyco Electronics, South African pioneer of Proximity Detection Systems, offers safety solutions for underground and surface mining, quarrying,...

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







sq:0.113 0.162s - 161pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now