Rand-Air, part of the Atlas Copco Specialty Rental division and an established leader in the field of air, nitrogen, power, circulate (pumps), steam boiler and lighting options, recently took a bold choice which has changed the finest way its buyer – and Rand Air – will approach future hires of an analogous nature.
Working in the petrochemical sector requires critical attention to detail, with absolute security always crucial. When Rand-Air was approached by a long-standing buyer on this sector for tools to clear a sulfuric acid pipeline certain for decommissioning, they approached the task at hand in an progressive and agile method, coming up with a unique answer from these beforehand applied.
“The project undertaken was uncommon by nature. Our customer required the use of an air compressor which might carry out optimally in a high-risk, risky environment. We due to this fact determined that this explicit challenge demanded a fresh resolution – and a departure from the finest way by which it had previously been approached,” explains Rand-Air seasoned petrochemical trade sales representative Melanie Lake.
Oil-free air versus nitrogen
“Acid can not come into contact with any moisture – whether or not it’s water or oil – because of its extreme volatility. Contaminants may cause hazardous chemical reactions and potentially even combustion,” explains Lake.
The clearing of the first sulfuric acid pipeline – undertaken in 2020 – was meant as a once-off project. Rand-Air therefore took the choice to go with the Class zero oil-free compressor because of its manufacturing of high-quality, clear, oil-free, and totally dry compressed air.
“Multiple consultations and analyses preceded this challenge, to guarantee that the Class 0 oil-free compressor would produce air which was sufficiently pure, contaminant-free and dry, at a stress dew point of minus 40 levels,” she provides.
Prior to Rand-Air supplying the oil-free compressor, this specific customer had at all times used nitrogen to clear their pipelines. By offering the Class 0 oil-free air resolution, Rand-Air was capable of show that this was the better solution in this case: able to provide a more environment friendly answer in a shorter time, and with considerably less potential contamination or security danger.
Ultimate effectivity with multiple uses
The first pipeline clearing venture utilizing oil-free air turned out to be so successful that the estimated 5 day compressor rent, was accomplished in just one. This incredible achievement additional highlighted the operational efficiency of the oil-free compressors chosen.
Following the success of the preliminary pipeline clearing, four extra tasks took place during the course of the yr, and another is ready for October.
“Efficiency and air purity are the explanation that this particular compressor is one of the best and most viable resolution for clearing pipelines,” says Lake. Compressors employed by the client this year embrace the PTS1600 compressor with a dryer which produces 1600 cubic toes of compressed air per minute.
“Oil-free compressors are able to be effective over tremendous distances. For example, a few of the pipeline projects have required air to be pumped through pipelines of between 2.5 kms to five kms. When compressing air over this distance, strain drops – which impacts the circulate. It is crucial that air is pumped into the tanks at below 4 Bar,” Lake explains.
Oil-free compressors have multiple makes use of. Customers usually only rent them for instrumentation, fermentation and aerating containers that are standard makes use of for these machines.
According to Lake, the fact that these compressors can additionally be utilized in purposes such as clearing petrochemical pipelines, demonstrates their diversity: “The oil-free compressor is even capable of moving an eighty ton transformer, due to its capability to blow up industrial pillows which are then positioned underneath the heavy transformer and floated,” she remarks.
All different capabilities apart, essentially the most compelling reason for the rent of the Class zero oil-free compressor was due to its capacity to provide clear, pure, contaminant-free dry air.
Making agility count
Rand-Air attributes its excessive degree of customer success and repeat business to an around-the-clock service and powerful group effort: “We have made ourselves indispensable to so many purchasers, as a result of our extraordinarily high requirements and substantial industry expertise. Whenever there’s a need for rental equipment, clients insist on using our options and providers – because of our stringent safety audits, impeccable service and superior technical help,” says Lake.
True to its popularity in plenty of industries together with petrochemical – Rand-Air has remained true to its ethos and tagline of ‘making agility count’ and providing efficient solutions to customer’s operational wants.
“We are a team which works together and supports one another regardless of the duty. Our technicians and employees are on call 24/7 to ensure customer support and support. We will all the time be prepared to go above and beyond for a buyer, looking at their issues from recent angles, to search out them the best answer potential – ‘clearing the way’ for innovation and improved productiveness,” concludes Lake.
Share