A simple-to-install control system that provides detailed management reports to help plant engineers improve the performance and efficiency of a compressor network has been introduced by compressor manufacturer CompAir.
SmartAir Master will intelligently control up to 12 compressors — fixed or variable speed — and is said to reduce energy consumption by up to 35 per cent by operating all of the compressors in the network to the narrowest pressure band.
It is considered that the easier a controller is to install and commission, and the more comprehensive the data it provides, the more efficient the compressor network can operate, says CompAir. So SmartAir Master has been designed to be very easy to install, with a series of on-screen prompts that guide the commissioning engineer through the set up and confirm when each parameter has been programmed correctly.
Some controllers require a high degree of technical input and detailed information about each compressor in the network in order to be installed correctly. In contrast, once each compressor is connected to the SmartAir Master, the engineer needs to enter only minimal information as the controller will identify all the units in the system and will self-programme many stages.
In addition, unlike conventional controllers, which need numerous interface cards to communicate with each compressor, the SmartAir Master has just two options, helping to improve the speed and ease of installation. And where compressors of the same capacity are installed, the system will equalise running hours so that no machine is over or underused, reducing maintenance concerns and costs.
SmartAir Master is available with a removable SD memory card, enabling data to be transferred to and analysed on a PC and management reports produced. A local network connection is also provided, allowing system data to be viewed using the optional web server module.
