Energy efficient rotary screw blowers aid yeast production for Lallemand GB
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The success of the company’s 22-hour fermentation process cycle, which has fluctuating pressure and flow requirements, is totally reliant upon a continuous supply of oil-free low pressure air to deliver oxygen to the stock yeast. If the air flow to the fermentation vessel is interrupted, the entire product batch fails and has to be discarded, with consequent production loss and financial penalties. It was this critical issue that prompted Lallemand GB’s management to consider replacing some of its conventional lobe type blowers, which were experiencing reliability issues, with 100% oil-free Class 0 certified rotary screw blower technology from Atlas Copco.
In seeking a solution, and comparing the merits of replacements, the company’s management was initially divided. According to Mick Arnold, Fermentation Manager at Lallemand GB:
“ On one hand there was an inclination to adopt updated versions of equipment that was familiar to us. However, we came to the realisation that there was no point in continuing to rectify problems with existing machines by virtue of add-ons, or risk the offer of new but hitherto untested hybrid solutions whose performance and efficiency are not yet established. On balance, our conclusion was that we should focus on sourcing proven, reliable and fully integrated replacements that took account of whole lifecycle energy costs, as well as demonstrating the potential to improve our productivity. ”
“ We wanted reliable equipment that would be easy to install and capable of functioning straight from the box, and were impressed with the build quality, inherent reliability and integrated design of Atlas Copco’s ZS rotary screw blower offering. ”
The final endorsement of the new installation was voiced by Roger Houghton:
“ We have found that the Atlas Copco units cope with the essential fluctuations in process air demand, and it seems that screw blower technology can operate from 100% capacity down to 25% with very little change in specific power requirement. We estimate that our energy costs are down by at least 25% and at this rate we expect to achieve payback in less than three years ”
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All the ZS+ blowers are complete with an Elektronikon® operating system to provide control, to monitor the overall system performance status, and to increase the blowers’ efficiency and reliability. In addition, a Mk5 Gateway interface box, operating with software developed by Lallemand GB’s parent company in Canada, allows the compressors to be speed controlled and the compressor data to be visualised on the site’s management system.
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Atlas Copco Compressors is the GB sales and service operation of the Atlas Copco Group providing oil-free and oil-injected stationary air compressors, gas and process compressors, vacuum pumps, turbo expanders, nitrogen generators, air treatment equipment (such as compressed air dryers, coolers, and filters) air management systems, and custom designed engineered packages.
Atlas Copco Compressors’ sales and distribution network means that specialist compressed air advice and service is always within easy reach. A team of over 80 service engineers operates across the country, to ensure maximum running efficiency and minimum downtime at its customers' sites.
In the United Kingdom, Atlas Copco also handles the sales and marketing of construction and mining equipment, portable compressors and electric power generators, industrial power tools and assembly systems – all backed up by a nationwide sales, distribution, service and maintenance network.
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 2015, Atlas Copco had revenues of BSEK 102 (BEUR 11) and more than 43,000 employees. Learn more at www.atlascopco.co.uk/compressorsuk.
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- For further editorial information contact Nick Henderson on 01582 393120.
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- For further company information contact Joanna Canton Long on 01442 222240.