(Antwerp, Belgium, 12 November, 2008.) Atlas Copco’s newly launched improvements to its 11-30 kW GA+/GA VSD compressor range have resulted in world-class Free Air Delivery (FAD).

These oil-injected compressors are probably one of the world’s most compact and silent ever to operate on a work floor in this kW range. A new integrated dryer enhances energy efficiency and air quality simultaneously.
 

Now all standard models are built to operate in ambient temperatures of up to 46°C (114.8°F), offer intuitive monitoring interfaces a nd are equipped with a robust, high efficiency gearbox, completely protected against dirt.

Atlas Copco has redesigned and upgraded its popular fixed speed compressor, the GA 11+-30 and the variable speed version, the GA 15-30 VSD. In order to better match air flow to customers' requirements and eliminate the need to oversize, Atlas Copco has introduced a 26 kW model which is also available with the new generation VSD introduced with this launch. This range of small GA+/GA VSD compressors is used in a variety of applications and industries including workshops, assembly, packaging, automotive, woodworking, printing, textiles, construction materials manufacturing, plastics production and molding and oil and gas activities.

More air for less energy

Greater Free Air Delivery (FAD) means that customers can select smaller compressors for the same applications, saving money and energy. All of the models* in these GA+/GA VSD ranges offer world-class FAD. Atlas Copco’s engineering breakthroughs have increased FAD of the GA+ by a minimum of 7% and even up to 17% compared to the previous GA models. For the GA VSD, the improvement spans from 9% to 24%.

Specific Energy Requirement (SER) is the true measure of how much electricity a compressor will use. With improvements of 3-11% for the GA+ and 11-13% for the GA VSD, these newly launched Atlas Copco compressors have one of the best SERs achievable today, making them amongst the most energy efficient on the market.
Energy consumption can be reduced even further in the full feature version by integrating the dryer in the unit.

The new generation technology of the variable speed drive (VSD) increases performance, shows lower sensitivity to dust and achieves standard very low harmonic distortion. Energy savings of 35% on average can be obtained by adopting a VSD model (instead of a GA+), resulting in faster payback times. Additionally, 80% of the compressor’s energy consumption can be recuperated (e.g. for water and air heating in industrial processes or for direct use on site) with the now standard option to connect an energy recovery system.

*The only exception concerns the GA 30, which, depending on customer requirements, is sometimes replaced by the entry-level model of the GA 30-45 range.

Smaller, quieter

Size and noise are barriers to installing compressors closer to where air is used. The further away they are installed, the more energy is lost through pressure drops. Pressure drops of just 0,5 bar(e) with a 22 kW machine are equivalent to the electricity consumption of one household. With a very small footprint, each of the new GA+/GAVSD models in this range now takes up even less space. They are characterized by the lowest noise levels ever achieved by Atlas Copco in this range, bringing them to a leading position; with the GA 11+ as silent as 63 dBA. All enhancements have a direct positive impact in workshop environments by improving operator comfort.

More info at:

http://www.atlascopco.com/us/