ACN News

For its new generation of Clearpoint compressed-air filters, Beko Technologies has implemented the energy-saving 3E (Energy Efficient Element) filter concept for flanged filters.

3E technology leads to an optimised pressure difference through the enlarged separation surface at a simultaneously enlarged filter cavity. Users can choose whether they want to utilise the flanged filters with a volume flow of 100 per cent at the lowest pressure differences in an energy-optimised manner or whether they want to employ them — performance optimised — for volume flows that are higher by up to 11 per cent with consistently high separation rates and slightly higher pressure differences.

The technology employs an efficient filter material consisting of a poly-fibre compound with thermally fused borosilicate and polyester fibres. Through the thermal fusing, no adhesive residues remain between the fibres. Simultaneously, intrinsic particle release — and therefore the contamination of the compressed air — is avoided.

The Clearpoint flanged filter housing, which is fully galvanised in a high-temperature process, offers high corrosion protection. The exchange of the filter elements is implemented in an easy-to-service manner. The flanged filter has two compressed-air connections at the same level, allowing for easy installation in the existing pipes.

The housing can be set up in an upright position. Radially welded support plates enable the optimum mounting of three height-adjustable machine mounts. They can be fixed on the floor and, in this manner, ensure a stable stand, even when the floor is not even.
Further information

Clearpoint 3E flanged filters are designed for volume flow from 1,420m³/h to 31,240m³/h (energy optimised) or from 1,580m³/h to 34,680m³/h (flow optimised).

Filter fibres feature an oil and water repellent coating, making for excellent coalescence properties.

The considerable filter bed depth, in addition to a high absorption capacity, leads to very low pressure differences.

3E technology acts as a coarse filter, universal filter, fine filter, ultra-filter and nano-filter in the Clearpoint versions.

Beko Technologies Ltd has launched a new Talkback service through its website, where companies can post problems or technical difficulties they are having in compressed air process control. Beko will given an instant confirmation of their posting and a full reply within 48 hours.

Beko has 18 years of experience that is dedicated to compressed air process control and a network of companies in Germany, US, Korea, France, Spain, Netherlands, China and Italy.

With these resources, Beko is confident that any problem being faced by a UK engineer is likely to have already been solved somewhere in the world by Beko and its customers.Problems posted to the site will be looked at by all Beko’s global specialists, and a full response will be returned within48 hours.

If the problem is not easily solved, however, Beko will contact the research team at its German parent company who will look at modifying or creating a product to provide the solution.”We recognise that many engineers approach us with a problem, not a direct request for one of our products,”explained Beko’s general manager Mike Argent.

“The Talkback idea approaches people from this angle and we hope to learn a lot from the problems people post to us.

This is all partof a new sales style we are adopting, which we are promoting under the banner PSI: Problem Solving Initiatives.” Recent solutions provided by Beko show the variety of problems the products can solve.

Beko controlled humidity in the compressed air supply that was spoiling advanced printing of food labels.

It prevented humidity in a museum cabinet from damaging priceless artefacts.

The company also saved a helicopter manufacturer time and money by automating the separation and disposal of emulsions. Beko is dedicated to products that work with the production of compressed air.

The company originated the term ‘condensate’ and patented many of concepts behind today’s growing market of condensate management technology.Since 1982, Beko has engaged in the development, manufacture and marketing of discharge and treatment systems for compressed-air condensates and of emulsion splitting plants for industrial wastewater.

In autumn 1996, compressed-air membrane dryers were added to the product spectrum.

The latest edition to the family is the Beko blizz product which uses refrigerated compressed air to rapidly cool moulded plastic, launched in 1999.

The developments always aim for market-oriented solutions offering a clear advantage to the customer.

The Talkback form on the website only asks for a name, company, telephone and email along with the message explaining the problem.

The manufacturer was able to benefit from an interest-free loan from the Carbon Trust to fund the installation, thanks to the energy efficiency of the new compressed air system.

Astrum is a specialist steel foundry making components and assemblies for military fighting vehicles, ground engaging tools for the construction industry and wear parts for the mining industry.

In 2008, due to rising energy prices, Astrum began a programme of improving the energy efficiency of its processes.

Mike Hutchinson, operations director at Astrum, said: ‘One of our key areas of spend is our compressed air system, which is critical to the performance of our plant and is fundamental to our processes for moving sand around the foundry and for operating industrial equipment.

‘As part of our programme of improving the energy efficiency of our processes, we looked to replace existing compressors and approached Compair distributor Air Energy Management to assess our air requirements.

‘Air Energy Management was able to demonstrate that by looking at the overall efficiency of the existing system, and making sure it is designed specifically for our needs, we could save a significant amount of money,’ he added.

Working alongside Astrum and Compair, Air Energy Management developed a bespoke system to reduce the demand on compressed air at the foundry, and replaced old, large compressors with two more efficient, smaller Compair compressors.

The Compair L75 RS and L160 RS compressors both feature regulated-speed technology and are protected and monitored by a Delcos 3100 electronic control system.

Both compressors are linked to a flow measuring system, allowing operators to check airflow, allocate costs to different departments and pinpoint any leakage.

In addition to compressors, Compair also supplied energy efficient thermal mass refrigerant and desiccant dryers.

The system will reduce Astrum’s compressed air energy demand by 1,255,000kWh and save it more than GBP80,000 per annum.

A Compair L75 RS regulated-speed compressor is located in a small compressor house at the foundry and provides air at 7.5 bar to a bore blast machine for optimum surface quality.

The L75 RS’s regulated-speed drive technology matches compressor flow to plant demand with great efficiency.

This means that the unit produces the correct volume of air required by the application at all times.

The unit is suitably sized to serve a second bore blast machine, should it be needed.

Compair overhauled an existing compressor to provide system redundancy.

Previously, Astrum did not have any back-up, meaning that if a compressor stopped working, production would be brought to a halt.

Hot air venting from the small compressor house ensures that 80 per cent of the energy lost in the compression process is reclaimed.

The hot air is ducted into the foundry during winter and out into the atmosphere in the summer, allowing Astrum to turn off heaters, saving GBP10,000 per year in diesel costs.

The second Compair compressor – an L160 RS regulated-speed unit with Delcos 3100 controller – is located in one of the main compressor houses.

Working alongside overhauled existing compressors, the unit provides air for the 5,000-litre main foundry receiver.

Hot air from this compressor room, and exhaust air from the receiver is again ducted into the foundry.

A control valve ensures that the receiver can be shut off from the compressor house to eliminate leakage.

The number of air receivers at the Astrum site has been reduced from 16 to three, thanks to a more efficient use in the new system.

Steel components manufacturer Astrum has cut compressed air energy costs by 50 per cent and increased productivity by installing two Compair regulated-speed compressors at its County Durham foundry.

In addition to the two compressors, Compair has also supplied a desiccant dryer, providing the extra dry air required by a moulding machine.

The system also includes low-pressure drop piping, and a leak detection programme.

A flow measuring system brings information from all meters into one control panel, allowing operators to check airflow, allocate costs to different departments and pinpoint any leakage.

The DS500 compressed-air system monitor from Beko Technologies is able to monitor up to 12 outputs, allowing operators to conduct regular audits on the power consumed, flow pressure, dew point and leakage, as well as other key parameters.

The outputs are not limited to Beko’s devices; they can, for example, use pulse outputs for gas metering or PT100/PT1000 or KTY temperature sensors.

The DS500 has capacity for 12 inputs, which can be analogue or digital. Operators can record, indicate and evaluate the data, enabling them to be constantly aware of running costs and assisting in spotting situations that could be troublesome without corrective action.

The data measured by the DS500 is easily transferrable to a PC via a USB stick, GSM module or Ethernet connection to suit the frequency of information required by the customer.

Some compressor data needs to be inputted relating to the type, performance, variable or fixed-speed motor. Once this is done, a range of graphical outputs are available at a glance.
Parameters/outputs

Energy cost
Compressed-air cost
Leakage cost
Compressor load/unload times
Specific energy of the compressor
Cost of 1m³ of compressed air

OUR ASME PRESSURE VESSELS, COMPRESSED AIR TANKS, AND AIR RECEIVERS contain the following features:

Built in accordance with the ASME Section VIII Division I code latest addition. Vessels are “U” stamped and registered with National Board.

Currently building under many other codes, such as ABS, USCG, UN, SAE-J10, and others.

Most ASME pressure vessels, compressed air tanks, and air receivers are approved for use in Canada.

Exterior surfaces are painted with a coat of standard shop primer. Special interior and exterior coatings per customer specifications can be quoted.

Capable of producing pressure vessels, compressed air tanks, and air receivers as small as 2″ in diameter at 3,000 PSI to as large as 120″ in diameter at 300 PSI.

Custom fabricated design capability.
Full engineering staff at your service.
3-D CAD capabilities.
Actively involved in the following associations: ASME, PVMA, and National Board.
Offering a diverse product line:
Air brake reservoirs for mass transit vehicles
Dental instruments
Air/Oil separators
Valve and system activators
Air starter tanks
Sandblast tanks
Tire changers
Portable carry tanks
Surge tanks
Bladder tanks
Over-the-road tire trucks
A variety of tanks for everyday industrial and commercial use

Feel free to visit Aircenter Nevada or give us a call about Manchester Tank!