A widely accepted fact is that global warming is currently the greatest threat to our planet and humanity.
An independent study performed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change confirms with the present greenhouse gas emission rate, by the end of the century will have an unavoidable effect of average global temperature warming exceeding 4°C.
Global electricity consumption is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emission and is therefore a global warming emergency.
The industrial sector accounts for more than 50% of the global electricity consumption and of this, up to 20% (i.e. 1335 TWh/y) is due to air compression and delivery to final uses.
When developing a plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and curb global temperature rises it is important to consider energy saving or energy recovery in Industrial Compressed Air Systems.
There are several varieties of compressors available, and it is vital to select the best option. The two main systems are rotary vane and rotary screw compressors. These compressors incorporate similar components—oil tanks and coolers, thermal bypass and minimum pressure valves, mechanisms for controlling air volume—but the similarities end there.
However, there are several common misconceptions about rotary vanes that may discourage buyers from purchasing these systems. Herewith a clearer understanding of rotary vanes.
Must the vanes be replaced frequently?
Mattei’s vanes and stators are both made from a proprietary cast iron blend, designed to significantly enhance resistance to wear
Are springs used to push out the vanes?
Rotary vane compressors don’t use springs at all. Instead, these compressors use centrifugal force to push the vanes against the wall of the cylinder, where the oil ensures there is no metal-to-metal contact. As the vanes rotate, they are propelled outward, thus creating the individual compression volumes within the compressor.
Do Rotary Vane compressors consume large amounts of air?
Mattei compressors offer some of the finest energy efficiency available today. The rotary vane design produces compression that is highly volumetrically efficient; this is due to substantially fewer opportunities for air leakage in the stator unit towards the compression intake; there is no blowhole as in a traditional screw compressor systems.
Is Rotary Vane compressors need constant maintenance and are they prone to wear?
Rotary vane compressors use a direct drive design, meaning these units will not have to contend with any thrust forces. Due to this fact, vane compressors use oil lubricated hydrodynamic bush bearings instead of ball or roller bearings (found in rotary screw compressors).
If proper lubrication is maintained, these bush bearings never wear out, thus, eliminating the highly expensive compressor overhaul associated with screw compressors that use ball and thrust bearings.
Must Rotary Vane compressors operate at a high speed?
Screw compressors need to operate at high rotational speeds. Rotary vane compressors operate at a low speed of 1 000 to 1 500RPM, are able to minimise mechanical losses due to power transmission and friction. The slower a compressor runs, the higher the performance output.
Do Rotary Vane compressors consume large amounts of oil/lubricants?
Rotary vane compressors contain state of-the-art air-oil separation systems. These three-stage separation systems (stage one and two mechanical, stage three coalescing) are built into all rotary vane compressors, leading to industry-beating oil carryovers of between 0.5ppm and 3ppm.
