Closing out the 2011 year, the Manth Brownell maintenance team completed yet another green initiative; the replacement of a 13 year old 97 kW modulating compressor with two new 55 kW variable speed, high efficiency compressors, two new compressed air storage tanks and new quick response regulators. These new additions to our compressed air system have provided us with a 40% reduction in power over our current usage and 50 % added capacity over our old system which now allows for future expansion to meet our customers’ needs.
By adding the two 660 gallon compressed air storage tanks, we’ve increased our storage capacity from 1050 gallons to a total 2730 gallons of compressed air, whereas the quick response regulators will allow us to maintain solid, steady pressure and volume on demand to our equipment.
Additionally, the increased storage, in conjunction with the new quick response regulators, will reduce the uploading cycles of the new compressors and allow us to maintain compressed air pressure in the storage tanks at a higher pressure than our main transmission line. This equates to higher quality parts and more consistent thread rolling.
By working with National Grid on this project, Manth Brownell was able to secure incentives of 33% of the total project, which will lead to an approximate annual cost savings of $14,400 in utilities.
