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On-site nitrogen generation helps Advance Engineering cut costs by eliminating the use of a bottled gas supply

Leading metal fabrication firm Advance Engineering has invested in an Atlas Copco on-site nitrogen generation system to ensure the quality of its laser-cutting operation, increase output and make substantial cost savings when set against delivered bottled gas supplies. The system was supplied by Atlas Copco’s premier distributor, Anglian Compressors & Equipment Ltd.

Nitrogen tank and nitrogen generator at Advance Engineering in Kings Lynn

Skid unit showing the nitrogen and main air receiver in the foreground. Nitrogen generator is shown on the right

The broad range of output and engineering services supplied from the Kings Lynn-based company’s 1,250 square metre workshop is directed primarily towards the food processing industry. Apart from batch component machining capability and custom engineered products, it also covers pipework installations and on-site maintenance. But the company’s growth area is in fabrication services, which employs its skilled work force in sub-contract laser cutting and metal folding operations. It was to expand this capability that the decision was made to invest in new production equipment and to seek a more economic source for the supply of nitrogen gas.

As Sam Canfor, Advance Engineering’s Profile Manager explained: “We were successful in securing new equipment funding. It was delivered by the new Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership under the government’s Growing Business Fund whose grants cover up to 20 per cent of total project costs for local companies like ourselves who want to grow and create new jobs.” 

Advance Engineering Laser Cutting photoshoot Kings Lynn

Product loaded ready to be cut, design being checked prior to the laser cutting

Laser-cutting metal, particularly stainless steel, relies on a supply of nitrogen gas as a blanket to prevent burning during the process. Purity of the gas is an important factor in overcoming the tendency for discolouration of laser-cut edges and to provide a high-quality finish. Besides these technical considerations for Advance Engineering’s expansion project, it was equally important to achieve savings on the cost of delivered bottled nitrogen supplies; which was averaging close to £1500 per week.  

 

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Advance Engineering metal canopy photoshoot in Kings Lynn

The steel was cut using a laser machine, skid in the background

After investigating all the available options, managing director Rob High and Sam Canfor decided that installing on-site nitrogen generation was the answer to both needs. It would deliver significant cost savings, maintain supply independence and ensure a continuous, reliable source of high purity nitrogen.

Anglian Compressors provided the solution by installing an all-in-one nitrogen generation assembly. The compact Atlas Copco Nitrogen N2 8 skid package comes complete with a GA VSD+ FF full-feature, rotary screw compressor, an NGP+ nitrogen generator, air and nitrogen receivers, plus a booster, dryers and filters, all fully integrated into one pre-commissioned skid unit. This true plug-and-play system’s 300-bar output of 99.99 per cent pure nitrogen, at the rate of 38 Nm3/h, can be switched either to receiver storage or high-pressure bottling in its 16-cylinder rack. 

Atlas Copco Skid at Advance Engineering in Kings Lynn sold by Anglian Compressors

Skid unit showing the nitrogen generator in the foreground. To the right is the centralised control panel

What’s more, the unit’ s energy-efficient components, that include a VSD+ permanent motor drive and NGP+ generator technologies, can offer more than 50 per cent cost savings in comparison to conventional on-site generation solutions. In addition, the generator’s low-volume, high quality absorbent medium provides optimum capacity to produce the nitrogen. Whereas other competitive systems require six volumes of air to produce one volume of nitrogen, Atlas Copco’s design requires a ratio of only four parts air to one part of nitrogen.

This volume reduction means the installation features a relatively smaller compressor with a smaller motor, thus reducing running costs. There is a corresponding reduction in the size of ancillaries also, such as filters and dryers, as less compressed air is used in the nitrogen production. This has the overall effect of reducing capital expenditure; as well as ongoing service costs.

Richard Hewitt, Managing Director of Anglian Compressors, said: “We become the service provider to Advance Engineering 6 years ago when they were looking for a local company to look after their compressed air system.  Over the years our relationship has grown, which is built on trust and advice on ways they can reduce energy and improve reliability.  This is reciprocal as we have used the servicing of Advance Engineering for fabrication work on some of our own projects because of the standard of workmanship they provide.’ 

Advance Engineering Skid from photoshoot in Kings Lynn

Skid unit showing the booster in the foreground. The green pipe is airnet, colour coded in green for nitrogen

Other notable features of the skid unit include automatic regulation of user-requested nitrogen pressure and purity, self-protected monitoring of the feed air temperature, pressure and dew point; as well as a stand-by mode for additional energy savings. 

Sam Canfor summed up the advantages conferred by the new generation system: “The new unit now gives us a reliable independent source of high purity nitrogen at the lowest cost. We are in full control and have eliminated the need, costs and hassle of ordering, transportation and delivery of bottled gas to our site. As far as the skid installation was concerned, Anglian Compressors and Atlas Copco made sure that there was minimum interruption to our production. There was literally just a smooth changeover from our existing bottled nitrogen supply to instant start up on the skid unit.”

Advance Engineering photoshoot in Kings Lynn

The steel was cut using an onsite laser machine

He went on to say that not only did the project add to the company’s green credentials, but the new production economies meant an investment pay-back in the region of 18 months. Furthermore, the available capacity of the system would allow for any future extension of the workshop’s compressed air and nitrogen network.

The N2 Nitrogen Skid, which is also available in a 40-bar version for direct operation, complements Atlas Copco’s existing range of on-site gas solutions, including both nitrogen and oxygen generators. Its nitrogen generators are available in both membrane and PSA technologies and are offered as low-investment entry models and high-end versions that both ensure a low total cost of ownership.

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Application story 2019 Nitrogen and oxygen generation systems Compressor Technique United Kingdom

Editor’s Note

 

On site nitrogen generation relative costs:  When the relative cost comparisons are made between the merits of liquid storage facilities, delivered bottled gas, and on-site generation, the strongest case by far is for on-site generation solutions.

The cost of delivered liquid nitrogen can range from 10p to 30p per m3. For bottles, it is likely to be from 60p to £3 per m3. In contrast, generating nitrogen gas on site can average between 2.5p to 9p per m3 (depending on purity flow and pressure), but is generally in the region of 4.5p.

 

For more information please contact:

Joanna Canton Long, Marketing Communications Manager, Atlas Copco Compressors

+44 (0)1442 222240 or  joanna.canton.long@uk.atlascopco.com

Chris Butcher, Account Director, Publitek

+44 (0)1582 390980 or Christopher.butcher@publitek.com

Anglian Compressors & Equipment Ltd has been a premier distributor for Atlas Copco since 1977. The company, which is based in Peterborough with a client base covering a 150-mile radius, does more than simply install and service air compressors. Its approach is to analyse each client’s specific site, and help them cut costs and improve efficiency. Experts from the Anglian Compressors data-log every stage of the production process to create energy reports, and recommend new, more efficient ways to work. For more information: www.angliancompressors.com

Atlas Copco Compressor Technique

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Atlas Copco is based in Stockholm, Sweden with customers in more than 180 countries and about 37 000 employees. Revenues of BSEK 95/ 9 BEUR in 2018. For more information: www.atlascopcogroup.com

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For further editorial information contact Chris Butcher on 01582 390980.

For product or sales enquiries please contact 0800 181085.

For further company information contact Joanna Canton Long on 01442 222240.

Telephone number for publication: 0800 181085

E-mail address for publication: compressors.GB.web@atlascopco.com  

Website address for publication: www.atlascopco.co.uk/compressors