Mr Sandman—Compressor Installation

When Fife Silica Sands, a high-quality silica sands producer, needed a new compressor, they looked for a brand which would save money, increase efficiency and enhance their commitment to the environment. Would it be possible to meet all three criteria without sacrificing quality, or breaking the bank?

After conducting a plant-wide energy appraisal of their electric motor and compressor loads, EDC Air Compressors, (an SCR Comp distributor) advised that savings, both financial and electrical, could be made. 

The production of the quarry’s premium, high-silica content sand was heavily dependent upon the use of an air compressor. The process critical unit controlled the site’s wet plant magnets. If this unit (with 60,000 hours on the clock) went down, production would stop. Switching to a new SCR compressor offered energy savings with a short payback period of only 1.5 years.

A new SCR30DV 22kW, variable speed, oil-injected air compressor was duly installed and commissioned. The fact that it was variable speed would allow  precise control of the compressor depending on the load, a major factor in energy savings. As a result of the installation the running costs of the plant fell from £10k to £6k per annum. Better still, the unit would pay for itself in less than 2 years. But there were still further benefits for the site. The new compressor required significantly less maintenance, and improved plant integrity whilst increasing controllability. And the old compressor? It wasn’t quite ready for retirement and continues to benefit the plant, acting as a stand-by in case of emergency. In total, the entire plant’s C02 savings from the new SCR compressor will be the equivalent of driving an average family car to the moon; and back.