Atlas Copco GA VSD+ compressor achieves 50% energy savings for UK’s largest quartz glass fabricator
After experiencing pressure drops that limited applications within its production facility, Quartztec Europe installed an Atlas Copco GA VSD+ compressor that increased output, halved annual energy costs and exceeded initial savings estimates by 19%
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Quartztec Europe is the largest fabricator of quartz glass in the UK and one of the top five in Europe. It undertakes manufacturing for market sectors, such as semiconductors, solar and fibre optics, within its 50,000 sq. ft. purpose-built facility in Kelvin South Business Park, East Kilbride.
Initially, we requested prices for 37 kW Variable Speed Drive compressors from three different companies and Atlas Copco provided a cost for a compressor with over 15 per cent greater output than the other two. Further to this, they explored a number of options to ensure the correct solution was put in place by fitting data loggers free of charge to better understand the requirements of the site.
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Eventually, it was found that a 22 kW GA22VSD+ compressor would suffice, as well as saving us over £3,000 (50 per cent) on energy every year. This meant that the compressor system could be paid off within 5 years, whilst providing 100 per cent redundancy to ensure our production is never compromised.
The enhanced performance of a GA compressor can, in many instances, allow a lower kW rated machine to be installed at a correspondingly smaller purchase price and reduced running cost in comparison to a higher rated machine, as was the case with Quarztec.
Atlas Copco's commitment to providing the optimal solution saved us not only in capital and service costs by identifying the correct size of compressor, but also massive energy savings against our old fixed speed compressor. The installed compressor is exceeding all of our expectations. I would have no hesitation in recommending Atlas Copco as a compressed air partner.
Editor's Notes: Atlas Copco is a world-leading provider of sustainable productivity solutions. The Group serves customers through its innovative compressors, vacuum solutions, generators, pumps, power tools and assembly systems. Atlas Copco develops products and services focused on productivity, energy efficiency, safety and ergonomics. The company was founded in 1873, is based in Stockholm, Sweden, and has a global reach spanning more than 180 countries. In 2017, Atlas Copco had revenues of BSEK 86 (BEUR 9) and about 34,000 employees.