Penned by Dr Giulio Contaldi, CEO of Mattei, the whitepaper – ‘Air compressors - the real economic and environmental impact of using the current industry standard Life Cycle Cost analysis’ – reveals the serious inaccuracies in how compressor efficiency is currently assessed, especially in respect to the difference between rotary vane and screw technologies.

 

　　The core issue centres around the incorrect assumption that compressor efficiency stays constant throughout the life of the unit, for both screw and rotary vane technologies.

 

　　Although a screw compressor off the assembly line will sit within the manufacturer’s verified zero-hour specific energy performance guideline, once it begins running, a process of wear will begin on both its roller and thrust bearings. This leads to a loss of efficiency over time and a life cycle cost far removed from initial estimates.

 

　　In contrast, the efficiency of a rotary vane compressor actually improves over an initial running-in period. Rather than experiencing damaging wear, the blades of a rotary vane compressor undergo a polishing process during use, which results in less friction, and consequently, better operation and increased energy efficiency.

 

　　Andy Jones (pictured), managing director at Mattei, comments: “At this year’s RWM, we will be sharing our pioneering whitepaper with the industry after its debut at Hannover Messe 2017 where it received a fantastic reception. Energy efficiency is a serious priority for the industry, and air compressors play a major role within that.

 

　　“Mattei aims to change the way life cycle costs for compressors are calculated, to ensure that decision makers have a clearer view of how inaccurate specific energy performance data can have a significant impact on life cycle costs. This goes beyond individual savings and, we believe, is vital information in the effort to reduce energy consumed through industrial air compression.”

 

　　Mattei will be exhibiting at stand 4D02, where the team will be offering advice on energy efficient compressed air production, in particular total system improvements and whole life cycle costs.

 

　　The RWM Exhibition 2017 will be taking place at the NEC, Birmingham on 12-14th September.