Learn from us...
Air Demand Analysis
Air Flow Measurement
Air Leak Detection
Air Quality Analysis
Condensate Management
Designing Air Systems
Energy Management
Fluid Analysis
Variable Speed Drives

Buy from us...
Air Compressors
Blowers/Boosters
Chillers/Cooling Systems
Compressed Air Dryers
Filtration Components
Nitrogen Generators
Packaged Air Systems
PET Air Systems
Vacuum Systems

Get Service from us...
Air Audits
Airend Rebuilds
Engineering Services
Extended Warranty
Parts-Rentals-USED
Installations - Piping
Preventive Maintenance

Variable Speed Drives

Myth: A variable speed drive can be retrofitted to any compressor system.

Learn from us: Not all compressors are suited to be retrofitted with a variable speed drive system. But, for those systems where a thorough analysis has been conducted and the potential for improved efficiency has been identified, there are many benefits to a VSD application. At the heart of the benefit is matching output to varying demand while optimizing energy consumption. After a thorough and accurate analysis by Hope Air Systems, you will be on your way to higher productivity and lower operating costs.

Hope Air Systems responds: Hope Air Systems engineers and technicians are trained to uncover an accurate picture of how your system operates. The analysis will be based on the following:

• compressed air demand over time
• actual system pressure vs. required system pressure over time
• air purity requirements

Using special air demand analyzers, which are hooked up to an existing air compressor system, we can get a clear picture of your systems operations.

Let’s consider a variable speed drive: Hope Air Systems understands that not every air compressor system can benefit from a variable speed drive. For those plant requirements where such a system would be desirable it’s important to get the right equipment to meet the needs. Kaeser has developed its Sigma Frequency Control series of air compressors to meet these stringent requirements. Featuring its innovative Sigma Profile airend and Siemens state-of-the-art drive technology, this series of machines are unmatched in providing a drive motor and airend that operate at low rotational speeds resulting in exceptional reliability, efficiency and long life. Now, that’s reason enough to call us for more information.

The Kaeser SFC (Sigma Frequency Control) Series of rotary air compressors addresses many of the inherent inefficiencies of the typical compressed air system. Rotary screw compressors with fixed-speed drives are limited in the number of times they can be stopped and started in a given time period. For example, in an application with a variable compressed air demand, fixed drives may have to run in idle for long periods to avoid overheating caused by frequent restarts. Even in idle, the fixed drive machine is consuming up to 70 percent of full load electricity, which is a major waste of energy.

The main advantage to a variable speed drive compressor is the ability to start and stop the compressor as often as desired. Unlike fixed-drive systems, a variable speed drive can “soft-start” and incurs the lowest inrush current required. This enables unlimited starts and stops of the motor.