Atlas Copco has yet again proven its world leadership in air-compressor manufacturing with the introduction of the new GA range of oil-injected compressors. Every component in the new GA range has been carefully evaluated and designed to provide Atlas Copco's customers with a product offering the highest levels of reliability and energy efficiency.

"This new range of GA+ oil-injected compressors is the result of continuous investments in product development and it will further strengthen our leadership in compressor technology," explaind Ronnie Leten, President of Atlas Copco's Compressor Technique Business Area. "The company's drive for energy efficiency while keeping environmental protection and climate change issues in mind has resulted in a completely new range of compressors in line with Atlas Copco's vision."

Energy efficiency in the new GA range is achieved through, among other things, state-of-the-art compression elements based on the company's patented asymmetric rotor profiles, which drastically reduce volumetric losses. Through the optimisation of oil injection, flow and temperature, the compression process is kept at the coolest possible temperature, thereby minimising thermodynamic losses.

"However", says Paulo Pereira, GA product manager at Atlas Copco, "the most efficient compressor package goes beyond simply having an efficient screw element. For instance, it is also crucial to optimise all the elements around the core component. In the development process of the new GA, we made substantial efforts to reduce all types of losses, whether flow-related, mechanical or electrical. The latest design techniques such as Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis were used to meet these objectives."

Other design features to further reduce energy consumption include the use of radial fans with VSD regulation, high-efficiency motors and no-loss drains. Extra energy-saving options such as an integrated energy recovery system and/or VSD for the main motor can provide even greater benefits.