Emergency air gets Belgian research facility back off the ground

100% clean, dry, and oil-free air is critical to the Von Karman Institute’s cutting-edge research. So when one of the Belgian laboratory’s mainline compressors needed a reliable and effective replacement to keep their essential work on track. Enter Atlas Copco Specialty Rental: the recognized experts in oil-free electric air! Our local team responded quicker than our state-of-the-art compressors can fill 2 x 60m3 storage tanks! Which, in case you’re wondering, is pretty darned fast.  

The Von Karman Institute conducts applied research in a variety of areas related to fluid dynamics, including aerodynamics, hydrodynamics, combustion, and acoustics. Among many other activities, their high-speed wind tunnel is used to simulate the effects of high-speed airflow on aircraft, wind turbines, and other aerospace equipment. And with a long backlog of testing scheduled, the breakdown to their mainline compressor could have spelled disaster without a reliable and timely backup solution.

An acute lack of space within the laboratory meant the back-up compressor had to be installed outdoors in the middle of winter where temperatures regularly dropped to below -7°C. The specific location, in a residential area, also implied strict environmental constraints in terms of noise and emissions. Most importantly, the output air had to be of impeccable quality with no oil and next to no residual water vapor that could condense and/or freeze upon decompression. The solution was self-evident: one of Atlas Copco’s TÜV-0 class oil-free electric compressors with built-in dryer, offering quiet, reliable, carbon-free, and cost-effective performance along with 100% clean and dry air. 

One of the biggest trump cards at Atlas Copco Specialty Rental is the size of our fleet. It means we can easily and efficiently adapt every solution to even the most specific constraints. All backed of course by experienced technicians who can integrate that solution on site just as quickly. After all, we’re all about bringing service and sales together to meet and exceed our customer’s expectations. In this particular case, our customer was able to resume their tight testing schedule.  

Want to plan for the worst while delivering your best? We can help put a contingency plan together to secure the continuity of your operations, whatever they may be. Talk to your local representative about how to expect the unexpected.

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At Atlas Copco, we have been turning industrial ideas into business-critical benefits since 1873. By listening to our customers and knowing their needs, we deliver value and innovate with the future in mind.

Great ideas reinforce sustainable development. At Atlas Copco Specialty Rental, we team up with our customers to set up state-of-the-art temporary air, flow, steam and nitrogen solutions. Our passionate experts have extensive application and equipment knowledge. We understand our customers' needs and can provide a total solution for any industry, no matter if it is for emergencies or planned projects. We are a division of the Power Technique business area, headquartered in Boom, Belgium and offer specialty rental solutions under several brands around the globe.