Screw blower technology improves SCA plant efficiency 05 August 2013

Personal care products producer SCA has improved both operating efficiency and energy consumption on its wastewater treatment plant at the Oakenholt Mill, thanks to an energy-efficient rotary screw blower, from Atlas Copco.

Area engineering lead Paul Blundell explains that the Flint, North Wales, site had been experiencing reliability problems with its two existing lobe-type blowers, used to supply aeration air to the waste water treatment plant.

He says it was clear that a project initially to replace one with an Atlas Copco ZS+ screw blower, with variable speed drive, would not only ensure reliability but also save energy.

Blundell went for a fully integrated ZS37+ VSD-800 dry, oil-free rotary screw displacement blower unit, which not only provides oil-free air, but also varies motor speed to match changes in the blower air demand, thus saving up to 35% in energy costs.

Atlas Copco's Elektronikon operating system, which monitors system performance and can directly control blower speed against the level of dissolved oxygen in the water.

"The blower has exceeded expectations, in terms of energy savings, and has run almost continuously for a year at 30–50 % load," comments Blundell.

"It is a complete 'plug in and go' solution that occupies a minimum amount of equipment space within the plant," he continues.

"What's more, with Atlas Copco's AIRScan air network audit and survey system, it has been possible to link the blower facility to the site's BMS [building management system]. This allows condition and service requirements to be fed directly to Atlas Copco's service department. "

he is recording overall savings from this installation and is now considering replacing the remaining lobe-type blower with another ZS+ machine to run in a duty/standby configuration.

Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Atlas Copco UK Holdings Ltd

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