Leading compressed air specialist ABAC have developed a new system which can be used to recover the waste heat generated by compressed air systems. Called Alup Energy Box, it converts the heat generated by most air compressors into hot water up to 70ºC for industrial processes, as well as domestic applications such as hot water for washrooms, replacing the energy normally used to fuel boilers or heaters.
Energy Box provides a convenient, easy to install packaged system that can be fitted to any make of oil injected rotary screw compressor up to 90 kW. The system, which recovers energy from the oil circuit on the compressor via a heat exchanger, can be installed quickly and at a lower cost compared to previously available systems. This allows a return on investment (ROI) to be achieved very quickly, and provides a unique opportunity to recover normally wasted energy from air compressors, regardless of age or make.
The amount of energy it is possible to recover using Energy Box can be significant in reducing energy bills and improving efficiency. For instance, with a relatively small 37 kW compressor, the energy available for recovery can be up to 29.9 kW. which may equate to annual heating costs of over £6000 (based on 4000 operating hours if conventional heaters or boilers are used to provide this energy). Energy Box is available in several sizes to suit any make of oil injected screw compressor from 11 to 90 kW, and operating with larger compressors or for longer periods can result in greater energy savings.
Nick Poole, ABAC UK’s Director, believes that Energy Box will be able to make a significant difference to the running costs of a typical industrial environment. He says:
“The energy used in the generation of compressed air represents a significant proportion of the total energy used by most of modern industry. As a result we have recently seen a major focus on saving energy by the adoption of new technology, not only in air compressors but also in control systems and more efficient air treatment.”
“However, an area that is often overlooked is the adoption of heat recovery systems that allow us to “claw back” otherwise wasted energy. Energy Box’s appeal is that once installed the recovered energy is obtained completely free, as a by-product of routine air compressor operation. And of course it allows us to both reduce carbon emissions and lower operational costs at the same time.”
Full range of ABAC Air Compressors.
