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Airline equipment, filters, drains and traps, control systems, etc.
News Release from: Beko Technologies | Subject: Compressed air
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 18 October 2004
Compressed air pipe system made of
polybutene
With the innovative Bekoflow system, Beko Technologies has set out to solve all the specific problems associated with compressed air piping.
As a rule, compressed air is the second most important energy carrier in the manufacturing industry and has great cost-saving potential However, the resulting productivity must be seen in relation to the fairly high cost caused by the generation and distribution of this energy, and the necessary system maintenance
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 4 May 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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The good news is that this is also an area that offers considerable scope for cost saving.
According to an EU study, 42% of the saving potential can be realised solely by reducing the leakages in the pipe system (see enclosed graph).
These findings are confirmed by various other investigations.
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The 2002 VDI reports issued by the German Association of Engineers, for instance, contain a model calculation of the life cycle costs of a 110 KW compressed-air system.
This shows that 78% of the cost is attributable to energy cost.
Maintenance accounts for another 6%.
These are just two examples that point to the need - and the opportunities - for greater economic efficiency in compressed-air technology.
Now, with the innovative Bekoflow system, Beko Technologies has set out to solve all the specific problems associated with compressed air piping.
The result is a revolutionary pipe work system.
The Bekoflow compressed air pipe system is made of polybutene.
This excellent material offers a variety of advantages, such as resistance against all the usual compressor oil, hygienic and toxicological safety, as well as good temperature resistance and rigidity.
At the same time, the Bekoflow system eliminates a number of problems often accruing with conventional compressed air piping.
Leakages, corrosion and constrictions of the pipe cross-section, all well known 'traditional' causes of trouble in day to day plant operation, can now be considered a thing of the past.
The smooth walled pipe interior has no constrictions and guarantees optimum air throughput.
Consequently, the compressor performance can be adapted to actual energy requirements.
The energy and cost saving attainable with a correctly sized Bekoflow system is really quite astonishing.
Installation of a complete Bekoflow pipe network is easy, fast and safe.
The individual components are seamlessly joined by screw connection then welding.
Indicator pins on the connection elements reliably show the successful completion of the welding process.
Can a first class pipe system also be a money saver - in addition to all the technical advantages? Just looking at the price list would seem to indicate the opposite.
High-quality materials and refined technology don't come cheap.
However, the purchase price is only part of the total investment.
To get the full picture one needs to examine the total cost including installation.
Take a look, for example, at the model calculation for a 180m compressed-air line to be installed using 40 mm and 20 mm pipes (see enclosure).
Compared with conventional steel piping, the Bekoflow system cuts the installation costs by as much as 50%.
The total investment cost for this model setup is around 15% less than the equivalent figure for the conventional arrangement.
Of course, the operating and maintenance costs during the service life of the Bekoflow systems are also significantly reduced. Request a free brochure from Beko Technologies ...
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