Atlas Copco compressors help reduce carbon emissions

CHEP has a sophisticated network of service centre facilities strategically located across the UK where pallets are returned, inspected and repaired before being reissued into the supply chain. Seven of these plants have installed Atlas Copco equipment, including 8-9bar compressed air which is used to transport the wooden pallets around the inspection and repair process. There are also two air-driven nail guns on each repair bench and an average of 20 benches at each site. Together, these installations have helped to optimise the compressed air system used in all sites as well as eliminate air leaks.

As a sustainable and environmentally aware organisation, CHEP is committed to minimise its energy demand and carbon footprint. Subsequently, the company's UK site managers undertook an 18-month review of energy efficiency and CO2 emissions at the company's process plants. The project included the monitoring and assessment of compressor system efficiency at the seven Service Centre sites.

As part of this energy consumption and performance audit, Atlas Copco's Manchester-based distributor, Compressor Engineering, installed iiTrak datalogger units for a specific period at each compressor installation. From this data, the conclusion was reached that by installing more energy-efficient compressors, backed by a programme of planned, preventative maintenance, optimum performance could be achieved, along with reduced energy costs and increased carbon savings.

At the end of 2011 CHEP installed a number of new Atlas Copco GA-series rotary screw compressors at five of its sites and transferred other existing units between the company's remaining two sites. All of the Atlas Copco machines installed featured Variable Speed Drive (VSD) technology that matches compressor output to fluctuating demand − with the potential to realise consequent energy savings in the region of 35 per cent. CHEP also chose to support the new VSD compressors and the existing machines with an Atlas Copco Comfort Air service and maintenance package handled by Compressor Engineering.

Simon Wood, Plant Manager at CHEP's Pontefract Service Centre and manager for this project was delighted with the outcome of the compressor upgrade. He says: "Our relationship with Atlas Copco in the UK is fantastic, and the whole project has been a resounding success. The service and "leaving no stone unturned' approach from Atlas Copco has been incredibly thorough, and the performance that the machines has delivered has contributed to our sustainability objectives across the business."

For more information about energy-efficient compressors from Atlas Copco, please visit www.atlascopco.co.uk.