VSD vacuum pump saves energy at printing plant
Published: 03 March, 2016
European printing company, Polestar, is predicted to save more than £10,000 off the annual energy bill at its Sheffield printing plant by adopting a new VSD-driven vacuum pump from Atlas Copco. PWE reports.
When Polestar was confronted with the need to make major repairs to one of its three existing fixed speed vacuum pumps at its £100 million purpose-built Sheffield Gravure plant − a production site that has received environmental awards for its green credentials − it made sense to re-assess its combined operation to establish the potential savings that could be made by installing a more energy-efficient replacement.
Recognising the clear synergies between compressed air and vacuum in the field of air movement, it was a logical move by Polestar Sheffield to seek the recommendations of Halifax-based Pennine Pneumatic Services (PPS) for the optimum solution to its vacuum needs. PPS, a distributor of Atlas Copco Compressors in Yorkshire, has been a long-term supplier of compressed air systems, both fixed speed and VSD-driven, pipework and maintenance services to the company. As a result, a GHS900 VSD+, one of Atlas Copco's new generation of intelligent, oil-sealed, plug-and-play rotary screw vacuum pumps, was installed on a trial basis to show how it could deliver peak performance at the required operating pressure, and help achieve substantial energy savings.
Of the three existing units, the two smaller fixed speed vacuum pumps previously used by Polestar Sheffield were running at approximately 20kW an hour (one rated at 11 kW and the other at 9.7kW combined). The single GHS VSD+ vacuum pump that replaced them is a 15kW unit, which operates at approximately 20% load, equating to just 4kW. Based on an operation of 8,000 hours per annum, the estimated savings are expected to exceed £10,000 (16KW x £0.08 x 8,000 hours).
While the gravure process is traditionally used for long print runs, the latest engraving technology allows for short-run work with significant paper usage savings. Polestar’s printing site produces around 2.5 million catalogues, magazines, brochures and supplements every 24 hours. These include many leading magazines including weekly TV listing titles and national newspaper supplements.
A vacuum system plays an essential role within the transfer of work from the presses to the print finishing and bindery operations. In addition to its modern rotary gravure printing facilities, Polestar’s £34 million investment has included a purpose-built web offset 96 and 64-page size press installation together with multiple stitching stations.
Simon Robinson, engineering manager at Polestar Sheffield explained: “We pride ourselves on using the latest technology and continually look at ways to save energy which is why it made absolute sense to accept PPS’ recommendation to trial a variable speed drive rotary screw vacuum pump. The Atlas Copco GSH900VSD+ has proved a resounding success and the projections are for major savings on our energy bills over the course of a year.”
Atlas Copco says its GHS 350-900VSD+ rotary screw vacuum pump range represents a leap forward in rough vacuum technology that is based on its proven, advanced screw compressor principles. Benefits include average energy savings of 50% compared to conventional oil-sealed and dry vane pumps, as well as best-in-class noise levels and oil retention properties. Primarily, its VSD technology enables users to precisely adapt their vacuum generation requirements to match the demands of their production processes.
With approximately three quarters of all UK companies use rough vacuum requiring oil injected pumps − which are traditionally fixed speed − there is massive potential for energy savings derived from the new VSD technology to be gained across many sectors of UK manufacturing industry.
For further information please visit: www.atlascopco.co.uk/compressorsuk
