Energy consumption can account for as much as 75 percent of a wastewater treatment plant’s total costs, with aeration systems generally being one of the industry’s biggest energy users.
Aeration is a critical and energy-intensive process for the sector, with typically 60 percent of energy costs attributed to this process. With air demands in these applications constantly changing, improving the energy efficiency of blower technology can help considerably cut energy costs.
The Robox operating range extends from positive displacement, courtesy of the unit’s tried and trusted lobe and screw solutions, all the way to centrifugal compression with the latest high-speed turbo blower technology. This means the system can be adapted for both low- and high-pressure configurations, with a range of up to 2.5 bar and an airflow rate of up
to 26,500m3/h.
Whatever the process air demands are during aeration, the Robox Turbo system can easily adapt to meet these needs, ensuring energy usage is optimised while reducing a plant’s energy bills in the process too. Energy savings of up to 40 percent are possible.
With many plants working towards ambitious sustainability goals, upgrading to a system like Robox Turbo can help play an important role in contributing to reduced energy consumption and the impact this has on the environment.
The package is fitted with a high-speed motor and drive to reach the high rotational speeds – up to 45,000 RPM – required for the operating pressure levels of the turbo technology.
The system’s impeller uses airfoil bearings, which generate a completely contactless transmission when the turbo blower is running. This eliminates
any mechanical efficiency losses, as well as ensuring no oil is needed in the system’s air end. The fact that the Robox Turbo is oil-less means it meets even the most rigorous environmental standards, too.
Meanwhile, a sophisticated but easy-to-use control system ensures monitoring the performance of the Robox Turbo is simple and straight-forward. The option to monitor the control system remotely means operators can quickly raise the alarm if any problems should arise, making sure any problems are dealt with swiftly.
Antonio Stefanile, Product Manager at Robuschi, comments, “One big factor that can influence a system’s operational efficiency is its turndown capabilities. Expressed as a ratio of the blower’s operating range, comparing its high end with its low end, turndown essentially illustrates how flexible a system is in meeting unexpected
air demands. A greater turndown capability means a system can more efficiently meet an application’s air requirements, without wasting energy.
“Thanks to the product mix that the Robox Turbo package now covers, which includes a lobe, screw and turbo blower, we can meet wide turndown ranges for wastewater treatment sites. The turbo blower can be used to accommodate baseline loads at facilities, and then users can switch to the lobe or screw blower for either low loads or peak times.
“Available in a compact design, our new Robox Turbo takes up minimal floor space, while being incredibly easy to install too. Thanks to its power electric cabinet and integrated variable frequency drive, all the Robox Turbo needs is a connection to the pipework and electric power, making it practically a ‘plug-and-play’ solution.
“Another key benefit to the Robox Turbo is just how quiet the system is. The package has been designed to emit low noise levels, by ensuring air is delivered to the process without pulsation, so there are practically no vibrations and quiet operation is guaranteed. This is particularly important for sites located in or near busy cities, which must comply with stringent low noise regulations. There is even the option of a special noise enclosure for an outdoor installation, should a customer require it.
“Ultimately, the Robox Turbo offers a superior blower solution to the wastewater treatment industry, helping improve a site’s total cost of ownership during the lifetime of the blower, while also reducing a plant’s environmental impact. The package grants up to 40 percent energy savings and requires little maintenance, too.”
For more information on Robuschi’s new Robox Turbo blower, please visit www.gardnerdenver.com/en-gb/robuschi.