The kW power rating of a compressor’s motor does not provide enough information to specify a new compressor: prioritise the flow and pressure. Did you know that there could be a number of pressure/flow variants within each kW category? E.g. Atlas Copco has four models in the 11 kW range that represent a 30% differential in flow rate (from 28.7 l/s to 35.8 l/s at 7 bar.g) and over 32% difference in the unit’s purchase price! Modern compressed air equipment, when correctly matched in terms of pressure and flow to process demands, can offer reduced specific energy requirements, improved productivity, and lower lifecycle costs. Their enhanced performance may allow a lower kW rated machine to be specified at a correspondingly smaller purchase price and reduced running costs in comparison to higher rated equipment. It pays to apply a few essential rules when deciding on a new compressor:
Atlas Copco offers up to 4 options in each kW category across its entire range of rotary screw compressors
In the 11 kW range alone that can represent a 30 per cent differential in flow rate (from 28.7 l/s to 35.8 l/s at 7 bar.g) and over 32 per cent difference in purchase price. As another example, we have a 26 kW model which is unique to the marketplace, as all other offerings in this power sector are limited to a choice of 22 and 30 kW machines.
