Atlas Copco applies VSD+ technology to larger compressors

Atlas Copco’s revolutionary VSD+ energy-saving technology is now available for the company’s GA 75-110 kW oil-injected, rotary screw compressors, enabling manufacturing and processing companies to realise industry-leading operational savings in both medium and large-scale compressed air applications.

Stef Lievens, Business Line Manager for Industrial Air at Atlas Copco Compressors UK commented: “With the introduction of our GA75–110 VSD+ compressors, we’re now able to provide companies, who consume a larger volume of compressed air, with a premium performance package that offers industry-leading free air delivery and outstanding energy efficiency. Our VSD+ concept was designed from the outset to deliver high quality compressed air at the lowest operating cost, and help customers to boost productivity in the most demanding applications. What’s more, the floor space savings are enormous, giving end users the flexibility to add an extra compressor if they need more air in the future.”

Previously only available for its smaller GA ranges, Atlas Copco has extended its VSD+ technology to cover compressors in three additional and larger power ratings: 75 kW, 90 kW and 110 kW. Each model is available in a pack version or as a full-feature unit with an integrated dryer. With the latter, this adds even more floor-space savings, when compared to an installation with standalone dryers. All units can work between 4 bar and 13 bar set points.

Thanks to their unique vertical build concept, the compressors occupy the smallest footprint of any comparable compressor in their power range. For example, a new GA110VSD+ compressor occupies just 1.82 m² in the Pack version and 2.83m² in the Full Feature version - around 60 per cent less space than the traditional GA110VSD models. This translates to an impressive 3.78 m2 of freed-up floor space for a Pack version and 4.57 m2 of freed-up floor space for a Full Feature version. All maintenance parts are easily accessible, and the compact dimensions of the compressors allow for installation close to a wall or in tight corner spaces.

The ultra-compact compressors offer exceptional energy savings. This is because they feature Variable Speed Drive (VSD) technology that automatically adjusts the motor speed to match the compressed air supply to the air demand. When combined with the innovative design of the interior permanent magnet (iPM) motor, which outperforms the IE4 asynchronous motor in terms of efficiency, and a close-coupled drive train, the result is average energy savings of up to 50 per cent. Added to this is an impressive 6 per cent increase in free air delivery, for improved efficiency and performance, plus a reduction in the compressors’ total lifecycle costs in the region of 37 per cent.

The principal innovation of the VSD+ design is its close-coupled drive train - the combination of a high efficiency motor and technically advanced, asymmetric compression element. The IP66 motor was designed in-house, with special attention to cooling requirements and efficiency. With no coupling or gears between the motor and screw element the compressors are exceptionally quiet, producing noise levels of 73 dB(A) during operation. In addition, the drive train of the VSD+ compressor is situated within a closed circuit, in which both the motor and the element is cooled with oil; contributing further energy savings.

Specific Energy Requirement (SER) is the true measure of how much electrical power a compressor will use. In the latest GA VSD+ models the combination of an interior permanent magnet motor, an optimised transmission system and the performance of the integral Atlas Copco designed Neos inverter unit contributes to an overall 8 per cent improvement in SER over that of any comparable compressor in its class.