Atlas Copco introduces compact compressor technology with breakthrough energy-efficiency

Atlas Copco surprised the market with a new, very compact oil-injected rotary screw compressor from 7 to 37 kW: the 7-37 GA VSD+. Besides a small footprint, it offers a leap forward in Free Air Delivery (improvements of up to 12%), and a breakthrough energy-efficiency: it requires on average 50% less energy than a comparable idling compressor. This new type of compressor offering a variable speed (frequency-controlled), will be suitable for most industries and aims to contribute significantly to the green economy needs.

Atlas Copco translated the most requested needs of its customers in this new type of compressor: better performances, with less energy consumed, low noise levels and a compact footprint. With the GA VSD+, a variable speed drive compressor achieves better performances even at full load than a comparable idling compressor. This innovation will enable all compressor users to switch over to variable speed drive compressors, an important step towards a more sustainable industry.

Major parameters of Supreme Excellence Creation are:

• 55% Reduction in footprint.
• Close to wall installation with In corners and ducting at top.
• Extremely low noise level in 62-64 db (A) range.
• Average 10% increase in Free Air Delivery w.r.t. same KW fixed speed Compressor.
• Average 50% reduction in energy consumption w.r.t. same KW fixed speed Compressor.
• State of Art..Ipm (Interior permanent magnet) Motor with IE4 efficiency and IP 65 class protection.
• Optimized Screw element design for Low pressure drop and increased efficiency.
• Direct drive machine with negligible energy losses on account of transmission.
• Trouble free Endurance test of more than 25 units with 20000 hours running of each unit ensures Reliabilty.
• A full feature version with an integrated refrigerant dryer is available as option.

Koen Lauwers, Vice-President Marketing from the Industrial Air Division comments: “In 1994, Atlas Copco pioneered the Variable Speed Drive compressor and now we have launched an innovation that will once again set the benchmark in the compressor industry. The GA VSD+ has been completely in-house developed and brings together all our expertise and know-how about energy-efficient compressor technology”.

Innovation with oil-injected, oil-cooled compressors
Engineers could realize significant improvements with the new GA VSD+ thanks to the introduction of an interior permanent magnet motor. This new in-house designed motor achieves an efficiency corresponding to IE 4 (Super Premium Efficiency motor class). The motor and drive train share one drive shaft and are vertically aligned to allow a smaller footprint of 55% compared to the previous range.

Small compressor, big ideas
Atlas Copco evaluated every part in this compressor: a more efficient fan, robust air intake system, eliminating all blow-off losses, and the best electronic components together with the new drive train add up to energy savings of 50% on average compared to a traditional idling compressor of the same type.

Available as from today
Atlas Copco also adapted its production environment to the future: the GA VSD+ is currently built in Antwerp, Belgium, on a production line that is more efficient, more standardized and that takes less space. The production of the new compressor is up and running and Atlas Copco is ready to receive customers’ orders. Atlas Copco is an industrial group with world-leading positions in compressors, expanders and air treatment systems, construction and mining equipment, power tools and assembly systems. With innovative products and services, Atlas Copco delivers solutions for sustainable productivity.

The company was founded in 1873, is based in Stockholm, Sweden, and has a global reach spanning more than 170 countries. In 2012, Atlas Copco had 39 800 employees and revenues of BSEK 90.5 (BEUR 10.5). Industrial Air is a division within Atlas Copco’s Compressor Technique business area. It develops, manufactures and markets oil-injected and oil-free air compressors, vacuum pumps, gas generators, air treatment solutions and compressor controls and monitoring under several brands. In addition to serving a wide variety of industries, dedicated solutions are also available for marine, railway and oil and gas customers. The division’s focus and main drive is to further improve its customers’ productivity. The divisional headquarters and main production center are located in Antwerp, Belgium.

Web: www.atlascopco.com