So which type of rotary screw compressor is right for you? Let’s take a closer look at the different technologies available to you and how they meet each of the seven requirements above.
First, you have your traditional fixed-speed rotary screw compressors. Here, Atlas Copco has a dual offer. The GA range is our industrial powerhouse. The outstanding performance and dependability of the GA makes these compressors a popular choice for use in demanding environments where issues like efficiency and connectivity are not primary concerns. For professional users with a focus on first cost, the G-range is the robust, reliable option with the lowest purchase price.
Next, Atlas Copco’s GA+ is Atlas Copco’s advanced fixed-speed rotary screw compressor. Thanks to their state-of-the art technology and industry-leading performance, they are significantly more energy efficient than the G and GA series.
In addition, the GA+ series impresses with its reliability. These compressors feature a maintenance-free drive system and are protected against dirt and dust. They are suitable for use in harsh environments (as standard up to temperatures of 46 ̊C/115 ̊F and in the high ambient version up to 55 ̊C/131 ̊F).
The GA+ series also offers some connectivity options, such as the remote monitoring of the compressor’s performance.
In other words, these compressors are at the very top of what fixed-speed rotary screw compression technology has to offer.
That brings us to models with a variable speed drive (VSD).
When Atlas Copco first introduced this technology in compressors in the 1990s, it primarily made them much more efficient. The first generation was able to reduce energy consumption by up to 35% on average. That means the compressors also made strides in terms of sustainability at a time when the world started paying more attention to the environment.
However, the unparalleled efficiency of the first generation of VSD compressors from Atlas Copco, the GA VSD series, did not mean that these machines were any less reliable. In fact, they were every bit as dependable as the models from the GA+ range.
While the early VSD models were far more advanced than anything else on the market at the time, what came next was another quantum leap in compressor performance.
Instead of resting on its laurels, Atlas Copco kept innovating the new technology and developed the VSD+ series.
First and foremost, it made rotary screw compressors even more efficient. Thanks to an interior permanent magnet (iPM) motor, it reduced the energy consumption of these machines by up to 50% compared to traditional fixed-speed models.
The VSD+ range also raised the bar in terms of reliability. Its need for maintenance is very low as a result of the use of fewer components. This increases the compressor’s uptime.
VSD+ compressors are built to last with robust components, which makes downtime less likely. In addition, they are designed so that all parts are easily accessible, which facilitates maintenance.
Thanks to its innovative vertical build, the VSD+ series is very compact and quiet, which means the machines can be installed in more places.
Finally, Atlas Copco employed new connectivity technologies. The Elektronikon® Touch controller not only allows remote monitoring but also offers warning indications, maintenance scheduling and online status visualization. This lets users keep an eye on their compressor at all times and recognize potential issues before they become major problems.
But it didn’t stop there.
Instead of making incremental changes to an already amazing machine, Atlas Copco’s engineers essentially reinvented the rotary screw compressor from scratch. They looked at every component and tried to figure out how they could make it better.
The result is the GA VSDS series.
