Glass production: Central vacuum supply reduces energy consumption by 50%

Cologne, 09. October 2018. With the introduction of these new screw vacuum pumps, Atlas Copco underlines its commitment to sustainable glass production. In December 2017, the vacuum supplier, therefore, expanded its portfolio with the modern GHS 3800-5400 VSD+ vacuum pump series. Thanks to their long service life and greatly improved oil cooling and retention, these robust pumps contribute to savings in production processes. Compared with existing technologies, their use has resulted in significantly reduced life-cycle costs.

Minimal energy consumption, low maintenance requirements The Elektronikon® Mk5 control system and the speed-controlled drive system (VSD+) make pump operation extremely economical: The pressure setpoint control function ensures that the pumps deliver the lowest possible vacuum flow to maintain the required vacuum. This minimizes energy consumption and reduces operating costs over the lifecycle. The low maintenance required by the series also contributes to efficiency: "There are no rotary vanes that need to be replaced, and the screw element is also maintenance-free for years. In addition, suction filters and oil separators can be replaced without dismantling the piping“, Christoph Angenendt explains the simple handling of the pumps. Via SMARTlink software, the operator can dial in and inform himself in good time about the necessary maintenance work. The system displays all relevant information on an intuitively understandable, graphical user interface. The operating vacuum can be adjusted or changed by pressing a key. This allows users to easily adapt the pump's performance to the respective process requirements.

Ideal solution for remote monitoring While the Elektronikon® Mk5 system allows integration into the user's plant management system, Atlas Copco's SMARTlink provides the ideal solution for remote monitoring. It simplifies maintenance and the provision of data also for service technicians to adjust operating settings in real time. Equipped with customer-oriented plug & play design principles and a compact design, the GHS VSD+ series is quick and easy to install. All necessary components are supplied to the users as a complete package. Trained Atlas Copco engineers are available to ensure smooth commissioning.

The advantages of the GHS VSD+ series at a glance:

• Significantly reduced energy consumption; typical energy savings of around 50% 
• First-class performance, optimized in the coarse printing area, with the lowest energy requirement per m/3h flow of a coarse vacuum pump. 
• Adaptive high-performance variable speed drive (VSD) with pressure setpoint control 
• Innovative, actuated input control valve 
• State-of-the-art 3-stage oil separation for ultrapure exhaust air over operating ranges from atmosphere to 5 mbar final pressure
• Ergonomic maintenance and service access 
• Variable temperature control through innovative VSD cooling fan and active oil control 
• Quiet operation: noise level far below that of alternative technologies (-7dB) 
• Sustainable productivity through high performance and efficiency. Conformity with energy management and environmental obligations according to ISO 50001/14001. 
• Integrated Atlas Copco MK5 control system with intuitive graphical user interface.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Editor Note: Atlas Copco is a world-leading provider of sustainable productivity solutions. The Group serves customers with innovative compressors, vacuum solutions and air treatment systems, construction and mining equipment, 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. Atlas Copco’s Vacuum Technique business area provides vacuum products, exhaust management systems, valves and related products mainly under the Edwards, Leybold and Atlas Copco brands. The main markets served are semiconductor as well as a variety of industrial segments. The business area has a global service network and innovates for sustainable productivity in order to further improve its customers’ productivity. Principal product development and manufacturing units are located in the United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Germany, South Korea, China and Japan. Industrial Vacuum is a division within Atlas Copco's Vacuum Technique business area. It develops, manufactures and sells sophisticated vacuum products and solutions for customers in the industrial process and rough vacuum sectors, for example steel, CPI (chemical process industries), metallurgy, petrochemical, food packaging and paper handling. The division markets products under the Atlas Copco, Edwards, Quincy and Leybold brands. The division's focus is to improve customers' productivity. The divisional headquarter is in Cologne Germany, the main production locations are in Cologne, Qingdao and Tianjin China, Lutin Czech, Valence France and Antwerp Belgium.