A magazine for the production industry

report 2/20

SIGMA AIR UTILITY:

Quality compressed air
– zero investment
t. Ec o n o mi c a l .
e . E ffi c i e n
Reliabl

Saving energy at fastening ter Hürne – Compressed Visiting the stargazers All-in for a hole-in-one at
technology specialist SPAX air in the flooring industry of Hawaii a golf club in Australia
Contents Issue 2/20 Editorial

3 Editorial

4 From wine into water…

Rotary screw blowers for the wastewater treatment plant at
Neustadt an der Weinstraße
COVID-19:
The day will come when all is resolved
6 SPAX – Turning heads with innovation
A fastening technology specialist reaps significant energy savings
6-7
8 Huge savings with KAESER boosters After nine months of fighting the pandemic, the battle is
KAESER’s latest product solution for the beverages industry unfortunately still not yet won. We remain in the midst of an
extremely serious and complex crisis that affects everybody Dipl.-Wirtsch.-Ing. Dipl.-Wirtsch.-Ing.
10 The natural choice Thomas Kaeser Tina-Maria Vlantoussi-Kaeser
and everything. We must not look away, but tackle the situation Managing Board Managing Board
Flooring specialist ter Hürne relies on quality air from KAESER
head on and do everything we can to defeat the pandemic with
14 The sky’s no limit utmost care and caution.
Visiting the stargazers of Hawaii
10-13
Of the key objectives in overcoming the pandemic, the first – Health and the economy go hand-in-hand: when things go
17 All-in for a hole-in-one and most important – is to safeguard employees’ health and wrong in the economy, this often has a negative impact on
Top-quality golfing with KAESER rotary lobe blowers
lives to the greatest extent possible. Therefore, in our pro- health and prosperity. In the same way, when matters of
20 Where snacks meet compressed air – or do they? fessional lives as in our private lives, this means maintaining health are neglected, the economy tends to suffer.
Sandwiches, wraps, paninis and baguettes from QiZiNi physical distance, wearing masks where physical distancing
is not an option and accepting the tough restrictions placed Entrepreneurial action based on solidarity, hope and
22 Contracting for a sustainable future on classroom trainings and meetings. These measures are confidence in the future ultimately benefits everyone. Even
A reduction in CO2 emissions thanks to advanced compressor technology essential to prevent further spread of the virus. if the situation is exceptionally challenging, worry and fear
14-16
solve nothing. It is not a matter of introducing ever more
The second objective is to maintain business operations. Even interdictions, but of complying with sensible rules that help
if certain areas do not operate at peak performance, operability to manage, and therefore reduce, risk.
of the company as a whole must be ensured, in the interests of
our customers, suppliers and every single employee. Future virus outbreaks are inevitable. Pandemics, on the
other hand, can be prevented through swift communication,
Only in this way is the third objective, job security, possible and global coordination and concerted discipline. However, this
17-19 achievable. does not mean that we should cast our values aside; rather
than sacrificing them to the pandemic, we should treasure
When physical distancing is an absolute necessity, social and live by them sustainably. Trust and solidarity have a
proximity becomes more important than ever. special role to play here. The more trust there is, the better
Published by: KAESER KOMPRESSOREN SE, 96450 Coburg, Germany, Carl-Kaeser-Str. 26
Tel. +49 (0)9561 640-0, Fax +49 (0)9561 640-130, www.kaeser.com, E-mail: productinfo@kaeser.com
one’s life is at work and at home. People are less stressed,
Editorial office: Petra Gaudiello (Editor), E-mail: report@kaeser.com We must therefore strive to maintain even more meaningful live healthier and are happier.
Layout: Sabine Deinhart, Sarah Müller
Photographs: Marcel Hunger personal and substantive contact with each other and with all
Printed by: Schneider Printmedien GmbH, Weidhausen
of our partners, customers and suppliers, through telephone Although life in the future may not look exactly the same in
calls, video conferencing and online workshops. every respect as it did before, it makes sense for all of us to
The editorial office cannot accept liability for any unsolicited manuscripts and photographs.
Reproduction, including excerpts, only with written authorisation. work together to ensure that our lives continue to be more
In these difficult times, we need to be there for one another and conscious, sustainable and supportive even after the battle
VAT identification no.: DE 132460321
Register of companies: Coburg HRB 5382 provide mutual support more than ever. against the pandemic has been won.

Your personal data will be used and stored by us for marketing purposes. For detailed information, see www.kaeser.com/int-en/privacy-marketing.aspx.
You can refuse the use and storage of your data for marketing purposes at any time at: customer.data@kaeser.com.

2 | KAESER report KAESER report | 3

 State-of-the-art rotary screw blowers for the wastewater treatment plant on account of the need to procure regular best suited for converting the tanks from
supplies of pure oxygen. Therefore, one pure oxygen aeration to compressed air
at Neustadt an der Weinstraße of the aims of the recent modernisation of aeration, there were two choices in the

From wine
the facility was to find a more cost-effective running; turbo blowers and rotary screw
solution for the aeration processes, which blowers would both be equally adept at
would ultimately mean replacing the blower fulfilling the plant’s requirements. In terms
station. of energy consumption, there was not much

into water…
in it either. In the end, the decision came
A new brief down in favour of rotary screw blowers on
2015 saw the implementation of a compre- account of their superior controllability,
hensive, multi-stage renovation and reha- which comes into play from being able to
bilitation project at Lachen-Speyerdorf. The split the individual units and apply differ- An aerial view of the facility at Lachen-
Speyerdorf.
aim was to optimise the existing systems ing flow rates. Hence, since the autumn of
and equipment, from refurbishing the con- 2019, the supply of air for the two 4m-deep
crete in the tanks to renewing the lines and aeration tanks has been provided by a type
For wastewater management companies located in Germany’s wine- updating the electrical systems and soft- DBS 220 L SFC 30 kW (max. pressure
ware. Not only this, but the project set out differential 650 mbar, max. flow rate sure differential 1100 mbar, max. flow rate
lands, the beginning of the winemaking season in the autumn marks to achieve clear cost savings and efficien- 23 m³/min) and two type EBS 380 L 22 m³/min) and two type EBS 380 M SFC
their busiest time of the year by far. The introduction of lees, grape cy gains, whilst maintaining the facility’s SFC 37 kW (max. pressure differential 45 kW (max. pressure differential 1100
pomace, yeast and yeast residue, amongst other leftovers from the impressively high cleaning performance of 650 mbar, max. flow rate 38 m³/min) rotary mbar, max. flow rate 37 m³/min) machines,
around 96%. screw blowers, each one equipped with a also each with frequency converter. One
wine industry, into the sewerage system represents a considerable frequency converter. of the two larger units is sufficient to cover
challenge for local treatment facilities. Not so, however, for the waste- Increasing energy efficiency levels whilst the necessary redundancy to ensure that
simultaneously reducing costs happens In addition to these units, further new ma- the compressed air supply can still be cov-
water treatment plant at Lachen-Speyerdorf, which recently benefited to be KAESER’s core competency. It tran- chines would be required for the purposes ered in full when it comes to maintenance
from the installation of an ultra-modern blower station – courtesy of spired that, having installed a
KAESER KOMPRESSOREN. KAESER blower for supplying
oxygen to one of the nitrifica-

The wastewater treatment plant at Neu- billions of microorganisms to convert dis- organisms, which serve to reduce the
tion tanks back in 2003, the
operators at Lachen-Speyer- Our new rotary screw blowers deliver clear
stadt an der Weinstraße is owned and man-
aged by the town’s in-house waste disposal
solved matter in the wastewater (organic
carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus com-
nitrate to elementary nitrogen.
Matter contained within the untreated
dorf were already familiar with
the reliability and performance cost savings with superior efficiency.
operation (Eigenbetrieb Stadtentsorgung pounds) into settleable solids – i.e. a bio- wastewater provides a source of nourish- of the products and services on
Neustadt an der Weinstraße, or ESN). mass – by means of their metabolic activi- ment for the bacteria in the activated sludge, offer from the Coburg-based
Located in the district of Lachen-Speyer- ty. The biological purification stage can be thereby ensuring a constant regrowth. Their systems manufacturer. Another
dorf, the facility was designed to provide divided roughly into two separate process- only other requirement is, of course, a factor that stood out in their favour was the of rehabilitating a 5.5m-deep nitrification or repair work, or in cases of fluctuating air
water treatment services for 85,000 resi- es: nitrification and denitrification. Nitrifica- supply of oxygen. There are various ways of availability of a full, 10-year service con- tank, the aeration system for which had at demand (such as occur during the grape
dents and handles around 4.25 million tion is the biological oxidation of ammonia achieving this. Back in 1994, a pure oxygen tract. some point previously been converted from harvest). This new, state-of-the-art blower
cubic metres of wastewater per year; it to nitrate, via the intermediate stage of aeration system was installed for the bio- coarse-bubble disc diffusers to fine-pore station easily fulfils all the technical pre-
serves every district in town, including conversion to nitrite. This transformation is logical purification stage – a decision taken Turbo blowers or rotary screw membrane plate diffusers. Here again, cost requisites necessary to guarantee peace
the town centre. By the parameters under undertaken by aerobic bacteria. Sub- on the basis of the prevailing circumstanc- blowers? savings and reliability of supply were the of mind for the operators at the Lachen-
which it is monitored, the average cleaning sequently, denitrification takes place by es at the time. This, however, proved to When considering which of KAESER’s guiding principles and this time the solution Speyerdorf treatment plant – even at the
performance stands at over 90%. means of introducing anaerobic micro- be an expensive solution in the long run, energy-efficient blower models would be was a DBS 220 M SFC 30 kW (max. pres- height of the winemaking season!

Staying ahead of the curve

Commissioning of the Lachen-Speyerdorf
treatment plant originally took place in two
distinct stages. Mechanical pretreatment
was available from inauguration in 1975,
whilst biological treatment in the form of an
activated sludge procedure followed a few
years later, in 1978.

In principle, the biological treatment stages

of a water purification plant function the
same way as does the organic self-clean-
ing process undergone by waters in
nature, albeit in a technically optimised and
considerably less time-consuming fashion.
Biological purification takes place after The blower station at the Lachen-Speyerdorf wastewater treatment plant, with its high-efficiency The refurbished aeration tanks.
the mechanical pretreatment phase, using rotary screw blowers from KAESER KOMPRESSOREN.

4 | KAESER report
A fastening technology specialist reaps significant energy savings It may not be possible to reinvent
the wheel, but it seems the same
cannot be said of the humble
screw. In fact, that is exactly
what engineers in Ennepetal did
in 1967: in place of the conven-
tional wood screw with a single
slot, they developed a completely
new type of screw. Featuring
a pioneering new head design
with a cruciform drive, it ensured

SPAX –
a perfect transmission of force
and could be driven effortlessly
through wood, thanks to its new
shaft profile and innovative tip.
This breakthrough represented

Turning heads with innovation

a genuine revolution in fastening
technology and the beginning of
a global success story.

SPAX International specialises in the latest fastening technologies. Based in Ennepetal, the company produces up to 50 million screws per day.

The history of the screw goes back con- highest quality. They began their first inter- the addition of a SECOTEC TG 980 refrig- and the distinctive SPAX screw head is number of different smaller consumers, of supply that goes hand-in-hand with a
siderably further than the “SPAX revolu- national exports only a short while after, in eration dryer from KAESER. This was in pressed. Each machine or station in the such as the tooling facility and the harden- modern compressed air station.
tion”; its basic form has existed since the 1829. However, their major international addition to the existing equipment of two pressing plant operates to the same proce- ing shop, where the blanks are heated up to
Bronze Age (c. 2500 BC). One of the most breakthrough did not come until 1967, with type DSDX 245 (8.5 bar) rotary screw com- dure, the only variance being in the dimen- 940 °C before being doused in oil. It is this
famous screw designs of all time was the the launch of their game-changing SPAX pressors, a DSD 205 SFC (10 bar) peak sions of the end product. Compressed air procedure that endows the finished screws
“Archimedes screw” (250 BC), a tip-less screw (the name is derived from the Ger- load machine, two 5000-litre air receivers has a variety of roles throughout, including with their exceptional strength – by the time
screw used for conveying water and named man term for “chipboard screw with X-slot”). and a whole array of compressed air treat- pressure shut-off and cylinder activation of they have been cleaned and reheated in a
after the Greek mathematician who was its SPAX today is a registered trademark, not ment components and filters. The entire the machines. One of its most important tempering furnace, the surface tension of
alleged inventor. The principle of the screw to mention a generic acronym widely used station is monitored and controlled by a uses, however, is as blow-out air for remov- the blanks has been enhanced many times
thread was also harnessed by the ancient for chipboard screws. SIGMA AIR MANAGER 4.0 master con- ing the finished blank once it has been pro- over.
Romans for a variety of purposes: for dis- troller for maximum energy efficiency, as cessed.
tance-measuring instruments, wine and oil Today SPAX International GmbH & Co. KG evidenced by the extremely low idling rate Compressed air is of vital importance
presses, and fastening elements on items provides jobs for 500 employees, produc- of 1.8%. The next highest level of air demand to every station involved in the screw
of jewellery, medical devices and astro- ing up to 50 million screws every single day. comes from the rolling area (30%), where manufacturing process, but even small
nomical instruments. And let us not forget Charmingly, this international success story Compressed air required the threads are worked into the blanks. fluctuations in the air supply can nega- The SPAX screw with its distinctive

Images: SPAX
cruciform drive.
Leonardo da Vinci (1452 – 1519), an all- is still based at the site where it all began As you might expect, compressed air This is achieved by the movement of tively affect availability. Before the recent
round genius who drew sketches of motion back in 1823. This fact has both its advan- demand is high throughout the screw rollers across the length of the screw. In this modernisation, fluctuating consumption
and fastening screws whilst conducting tages – as manifested in pleasing architec- manufacturing process. The greatest section, compressed air is used as control in the tooling facility occasionally made it
intensive investigations into the potential tural details such as the splendid columns
applications of the thread. supporting the roof in some of the produc-
tion halls – and its disadvantages, such as
Made in Germany the challenges associated with accommo-
Moving ahead to modern times, the earliest dating a growing array of new systems and Of particular pride to the customer, the KAESER air station
screw forges in Germany appeared around machines in a building almost two centuries
the end of the 17th century, in the Rhineland old. Creative solutions have had to be found boasts an exceptionally low idling rate of just 1.8%.
and Westphalia, followed around a hundred quickly when it has transpired that a door-
years later by the first factories dedicated way was simply too narrow for a compres-
to the wholescale industrial manufacture of sor or refrigeration dryer to pass through it;
screws. One of the first of these was found- at times this has involved breaking out the requirement comes from the pressing air for the vibrating conveyors, which serve necessary to deploy additional machines
ed in Ennepetal in the year 1823 as Alten- air hammers to create an extra half-metre plant, at 45% of total demand. It is here to ensure that a continuous stream of blanks temporarily to cover demand. Such chal-
loh, Brinck & Co. and it was not long be- of clearance. that the threadless screw blanks are cut is fed into the 85 processing machines lenges now belong thankfully to the past
fore the abbreviated name of ABC became The facility’s air station received its latest from the raw material (using a so-called operating there. The remaining 25% of and SPAX is reaping the benefits of signif-
synonymous with fastening elements of the upgrade as recently in March 2020, with “wire feed” – metal wire drawn onto reels) the air demand is accounted for by a icant energy cost savings and the security

6 | KAESER report
KAESER’s latest product solution for the beverages industry

Booster systems come into play when, for technical reasons, spe-
cific points in a production process require a pressure higher than
the existing network pressure. A good example of this scenario is in
PET bottle production, where it does not make economic sense to
configure the entire compressed air network to operate at a higher
pressure than is needed for most processes – boosters provide a
far more cost-effective solution. KAESER KOMPRESSOREN is
proud to open a new chapter in the story of booster technology with
the introduction of its innovative complete systems.

Huge savings with KAESER boosters

Image: Fotolia
In the second half of 2020, KAESER quite literally, to simply mised cooling air flow and easy access for stream treatment components. CNC series Initial pressure is from 3 to 13 bar, final
KOMPRESSOREN is drawing considerable “plug and play”. maintenance and service work. Automatic boosters are available in a variety of models pressure from 10 to 45 bar. Frequency-con-
attention from customers and prospects in belt tensioning and condensate removal (CN 7 C, CN 11 C, CN 15 C and CN 22 C, trolled and nitrogen versions are also avail-
the beverages industry with the launch of Incredible space- ensure that very little maintenance effort is featuring respective motor capacities of 7, able.
its CNC range of boosters. These innova- saver required on the part of the operator, whilst 11, 15 or 22 kW) for a diverse number of
tive new models offer companies engaged the energy-saving SIGMA CONTROL 2 in- applications.
in applications such as PET bottle produc- With a footprint less than ternal controller ensures that CNC boosters
tion the opportunity to benefit from huge half that of their prede- are network-capable and fully compatible
savings. cessor models, these with Industrie 4.0 environments. What is
compact complete ma- more, they are equipped with a full sound
CNC series boosters from KAESER chines offer everything enclosure for outstanding levels of noise
In applications where certain points require you could need from a insulation.
process air at a higher pressure than that modern booster system.
of the normal control and working air, it is A new, cleverly designed Wide range of applications
far more economical to use boosters than layout ensures an opti- CNC series boosters are twin-cylinder re-
to design the entire compressed air system ciprocating compressors, a fact which po-
to operate at that higher pressure. Com- sitions them below KAESER’s DNC range
bining a new CNC series booster system of boosters in terms of performance. Au-
with, for example, a KAESER rotary screw tomatic belt tensioning provides optimised
compressor allows for an energy-efficient power transmission between motor and
design that can cater for diverse applica- compressor block, whilst also reducing
tions up to 45 bar. the need for maintenance. A highly effi-
cient aluminium-block cooler ensures that
CNC series boosters are delivered as turn- these compact powerhouses can achieve

Image: iStockphoto
key machines, meaning that remarkably lit- extremely low compressed air discharge
tle effort or cost is required to install them. temperatures, thereby guaranteeing opti-
Their advanced design allows the operator, mal temperature conditions for the down-

8 | KAESER report KAESER report | 9

 The naturalness and
beauty of wood make
it a unique material,
that creates endless
possibilities for a cosy,
comforting and stylish
home – a fact not lost
on ter Hürne. This
family business, based
in the German state
of North Rhine-West-
phalia, is celebrated
at home and abroad
for its innovative and
attractive floorings of
wood, laminate and
vinyl. Over the course
of its 60-year history,
ter Hürne has establi-

All Images: ter Hürne GmbH & Co. KG

shed itself as a market

The natural choice

Flooring specialist ter Hürne relies on quality air from KAESER leader in its field, both
on the national and
international stages.

Otger ter Hürne established the company and laminate flooring, and by the end of ing is manufactured from genuine wood. ophy pervades the entire business, from
that bears his name in the village of Süd- the century this new segment account- Not only that, a majority of the wood used the quality of the end product to the
lohn (North Rhine-Westphalia) in 1959, at ed for 70% of the company’s turnover. for the core layer strips is sourced from the employees’ working environment, the
the height of Germany’s economic miracle. ter Hürne’s revolutionary “CLICKitEASY” local area and natural materials, such as production systems and the process-
In its early years, the company produced joining technique laid the foundation for finishing oil derived from linseed and wal- es themselves. And it so happens that
door frames and panelling, but its founder a completely new, world-leading type of nut, are used for surface finishes. When when a modern manufacturing operation
had ambitious objectives and a clear plan flooring. specially treated with oils, parquet remains decides to overhaul its processes and
for how to achieve them. Intent on build- breathable, which is an important factor for systems, the spotlight shines inevitably on
ing an industrial enterprise, he brought Throughout these decades of change a healthy environment. its compressed air supply. In the case of ter
these plans to fruition in the 1970s with the however, one thing remains the same: the Hürne, an initial energy review highlighted
development of the company’s first export family-owned company is dedicated to the Ecology and efficiency potential savings that were nothing short
markets. Whereas throughout the 1980s development of healthful products that set ter Hürne is dedicated not only to produc- of enormous. It transpired that the entire
the business’ core segment was con- the very highest standards in functionality, ing natural, intelligently conceived flooring company was using 4.5 million kWh per
centrated around wall cladding and aesthetics and sustainability, just as it did solutions to German quality standards, year of power, which was approximate-
panelling, in the 90s they branched out 60 years ago. This focus on healthy living but also to maintaining a responsible ly equivalent to the combined electricity
into the flooring market with the intro- is clear when it comes to the selection of operation by means of thinking and act- consumption of 1000 four-person house-
duction of innovative veneered, parquet raw materials – ter Hürne’s parquet floor- ing sustainably at all times. This philos- holds. The compressed air supply alone Numerous machines throughout the production process rely on compressed air.

10 | KAESER report KAESER report | 11

accounted for 12% of total power con-
sumed, or to put it another way, 120 of
the 1000 households mentioned above.
These findings resulted in a project being
conceived under Energy Management Pro-
ject Leader Thomas Brüning and Mainte-

frequency converter combination, which

unites the benefits of both synchronous
and asynchronous motor technology in a
robust and service-friendly drive system that
provides exceptionally flexible control.
Meanwhile, a highly efficient, space-
saving SX-6 rotary screw compressor
was procured to provide the air supply for
the spark-extinguishing system and
three energy-saving SECOTEC TF 230
refrigeration dryers were chosen to provide
compressed air drying. The star of the show
is the advanced SIGMA AIR MANAGER
4.0 master controller, which continuously
monitors and controls every component
in the air station to ensure perfectly coor-
dinated interplay. Peak performance and
efficiency are assured at all times through
calculation of optimal machine operation,
For their surface finishes, ter Hürne uses finishing oil whilst predictive maintenance reduces
derived from linseed and walnut. servicing costs and eliminates the need for
superfluous inspections.

The new compressor station and associat-

ed treatment equipment were installed with-
nance Manager Ferdinand Kremer, with the
objective of optimising energy usage
KAESER’s compressed air station out a hitch during the holiday shutdown in
2019. They have since gone beyond mere-
through the application of state-of-the-art allowed us to achieve our holistic, ly meeting expectations – an energy con-
technology. sumption analysis for the months of August
ecological design concept.

Imagees: ter Hürne

They immediately set about the task and September reveals that the ambitious
of procuring particularly energy- target set for energy savings has not only
efficient, high-tech compressors and acces- been achieved, but comfortably exceeded.
Thomas Brüning (Energy Management Project Leader)
sories, with a fivefold brief in hand: optimise
energy consumption, reduce maintenance
costs, provide seamless, round-the-clock wood-scented building; visitors are left in When it came to designing a new com-
compressed air availability, ensure the nec- no doubt how integral a part of this oper- pressed air station capable of providing
essary redundancy for maintenance and ation compressed air truly is. The great- a round-the-clock supply of quality com-
repair work to be carried out, whilst all the est slice of total air demand is used by the pressed air to all of the various applications,
time allowing for potential future expansion. machines that process the flooring, which the project team – under Thomas Brüning
include presses, forming systems, sanding and Ferdinand Kremer – made the natural
Above: Inside the modern, 45,000 m² production halls, natural and intelligently
High compressed air demand and lacquering machines, as well as control choice and consulted KAESER. This result-
conceived flooring solutions are produced to German quality standards.
A tour of the facility quickly reveals the and processing technology. Compressed ed in investment in two speed-controlled
extent to which the company relies on com- air is also needed to clean and drive the type CSD 105 SFC and two type CSDX
Below: A reliable supply of compressed air is ensured by four KAESER rotary
pressed air. Step into the 45,000 m² pro- machines and, last but not least, for some 140 rotary screw compressors to supply
screw compressors, whilst treatment is provided by three energy-saving
duction hall and you become immediately of the building systems, such as those used compressed air at 6.5 bar. This new gen- SECOTEC refrigeration dryers.
aware of the various hissing and stamping for filtering the ambient air and for opening/ eration of CSD/CSDX machines features
sounds from every corner of the pleasantly closing doors. a perfectly matched reluctance motor and

12 | KAESER report KAESER report | 13

 The sky’s no limit
Visiting the stargazers of Hawaii Initiated in 1979, CFHT is a joint research
facility which operates a telescope atop the
dormant volcano of Mauna Kea on Hawaii. A
collaboration between Canada’s Herzberg
Astronomy and Astrophysics Research
Centre, the Institut National des Sciences
de L’Univers in France and the University of
Hawaii’s Institute for Astronomy, the facili-
ty boasts a world-class, 3,6 metre optical/
infrared telescope that is mainly controlled
from the observatory’s headquarters in
the quaint little town of Waimea. Here, a
On the island of Hawaii, amid team of over 40 engineers, technicians,
the vastness of the Pacific astronomers and administrators now use
remote-operated Queued Service Observ-
Ocean, the Canada-France-
ing almost 100% of the time. While the pri-
Hawaii Telescope (CFHT) mary mirror is relatively small, their use of
sits high atop Mauna Kea – cutting-edge technologies – such as adap-
tive optics and wide-field imaging – achieve
the planet’s largest dormant impressive results for the scientific com-
volcano. Situated at a height munity. CFHT’s work aims to answer some
of the most perplexing questions facing
of almost 4200 metres, it is astronomers today – what is dark energy,
one of thirteen telescopes in are Earth-sized planets common in the uni-
the vicinity, all taking advan- verse and finally, what is the ultimate fate of
the universe?
tage of the pristine conditions
for stargazing and marveling Top of the World
The Mauna Kea and its Visitor Information
at the wonders of the cosmos. Station, located at 2700 metres, are very
popular with tourists. It is not easy to get
here. The road past the Visitor Information
Station is rocky and uneven, meaning a
4WD vehicle is needed to reach the summit
facilities. The weather can change in an in-
stant without warning, impeding progress up
the steep mountain road. Altitude sickness
is a real problem and can strike even the
most experienced
visitor – including
staff members of
the observatory. Yet
despite this, people
are drawn to the
summit to get clos-
er to its fascinating
science and stark
beauty, as well as
its cultural signifi-
cance for the native
Hawaiians.

With the Canada-

France-Hawaii
telescope, the rese-
archers are looking
for answers to the
central questions of
astrophysics.

14 | KAESER report KAESER report | 15

 Top-quality golfing with KAESER rotary lobe blowers
plete scientific observations that may be purge air inside the various instrument cab-
lost forever. inets, in order to keep icing to a minimum.
Compressed air also has a role to play All CFHT’s instruments are cryo-cooled, as
when it comes to protecting the telescope’s condensation and ice can build up if humid
mirrors. It is used to power special covers air comes into contact with these extreme-
which protect the mirrors from dust, debris ly cold surfaces. The CFHT is a non-profit
and falling objects. If these covers don’t research corporation, so the procurement
open properly, critical observation time can costs of such projects are an important fac-
be lost. “We need to ensure that all func- tor. The same applies to running costs: in a
tions are supported each and every night, place where energy costs $ 0.31 per kWh,
unmanned, without fail,” says Green. “We the approximate 30% energy saving poten-
are operating under very specific condi- tial that KAESER products have to offer is
tions. There are incredibly few compres- a key consideration. Accordingly, KAESER
sors that can operate at 4200 metres. has designed the system to perform and
Kaeser’s team of specialists were the only provide longevity, durability and efficiency.
ones willing and able to take the time need- This is also important for a new project,
ed to engineer the right solution: an AS 30 which aims to establish another 10-metre
(US-market specific model) rotary screw telescope within the next five years.
compressor with add-on desiccant dryer, Those approaching the traditional white
customised to our exact needs.” dome and emblematic retractable roof prob-
In addition to standard applications, such ably don’t know that without compressed
as powering pneumatic tools in the ma- air, capturing spectacular images of the
chine shop, compressed air is used as universe would simply not be possible.

The KAESER screw compressor AS 30 must

meet highly specific requirements at an
altitude of 4200 m.

All-in for a hole-in-one

The well-tended greens are the flagship feature of the Pennant Hills Golf Club.

Compressed air makes it all

possible
The telescope’s primary mirror, made of
solid, thermally stable glass and weighing
in at 11,000 kg, features 24 flat pistons,
each about 31 cm in diameter and 5 cm
thick. These pistons are powered using
compressed air, which must not only be ex-
ceptionally clean and dry at a very precise
pressure. “The pressure required to sup-
Set amongst the picturesque green hills of Beecroft in the Australian state of New South Wales, the
port the pistons on this equatorial telescope Pennant Hills Golf Club is the fourth oldest golf club in the area. Founded in 1923, it still occupies its
must be controlled by a unique passive reg- original location in the Hills Shire district to the northwest of Sydney. Over recent years, a lengthy period
of drought caused by persistently high temperatures and strong winds across the whole of southern
Australia has turned the upkeep of its green areas into one of the greatest challenges facing the club
today.
The many spectacular insights we gain
here into the depths of the universe are Mention the words “golf course” and
most people immediately bring to
sure from growth and drought in the region,
the time had clearly come for the club to
only possible thanks to compressed air. mind images of endless, lush green
grass stretching far away into the dis-
start looking at new solutions for an inde-
pendent supply of its own.
tance. Even in Australia, where large
parts of the country has experienced Groundbreaking sewer mining
severe and long term drought, a lux- project
ulation system to within 0,00069 bar over urious growth of grass is an essential Having taken the time to search for the right
two axes,” states Greg Green, Mechanical prerequisite for any golf club. To keep consultants, PHGC approached Permeate
Designer and Instrument Maker for CFHT. its expansive turf areas well-groomed Partners – a consultancy specialising in
The mirror must be supported 24 hours a and healthy, the Pennant Hills Golf the analysis, procurement, operation and
day, seven days a week without failure. A Club (PHGC) needs to provide them maintenance of water and wastewater in-
Images: CFHT

single lost night of observation is valued at with a constant supply of high quality frastructure. Known for meeting the chal-
approximately $20,000 and, more impor- Rich in tradition, the Pennant Hills Golf Club irrigation water. However, with the mu- lenge of increasing water scarcity head-on
tantly, could represent a window to com- was founded in the 1920s. nicipal water supply also under pres- with innovative solutions, “recycling” is the

16 | KAESER report KAESER report | 17

 Our COMPACT rotary lobe blowers have proven their
reliability – still running perfectly after over 12 years
of operation.

The Pennant Hills Water Reclamation Plant commenced The innovative solution from Permeate
operation over 12 years ago and is capable of produ- Partners was to use treated wastewater for
cing up to 650,000 litres of high-quality recycled water the purposes of irrigation.
per day, which is used to irrigate the golf course.

For this procedure to be effective, a de- Years of satisfaction

pendable source of low-pressure process The wastewater treatment plant at Pennant
air is needed. Two compact, type BB 88 C Hills was commissioned around 12 years
rotary lobe blowers (15 kW, max. usable ago and has been providing up to 650,000
flow rate 8.2 m³/min) from KAESER provide litres of high-quality, recycled water per day
the biological reactors with oxygen aeration ever since. Approximately 98 % of the water
for the microorganisms active within. Two sourced from the sewer system is recycled
Four COMPACT-series rotary lobe blowers from KAESER are used to deliver pro-
further KAESER rotary lobe blowers – this for the purposes of irrigating the greens,
cess air for the membrane bioreactor. time 7.5 kW BB 88 C (max. usable flow rate with the remaining 2 % flowing back into the
4.7 m³/min) – serve to aerate the mem- sewers as activated sludge.
branes, which prevents any suspended
watchword for these water industry ex- question, which would prove the perfect solids from sticking to their outer surfaces. Kurt Dahl, Managing Director at Permeate
perts. According to their calculations, the location to construct the new recycled water Partners, sums up his satisfaction with the
most cost-effective solution for irrigating the plant. Rotary lobe blowers from KAESER’s four rotary lobe blowers: “In operation now
green areas of the golf club was to recycle BB-series are compact complete machines for over 12 years, they have proven their re-
wastewater sourced from the nearby sew- Low-pressure process air featuring OMEGA Profile rotors. Delivered liability and are still running perfectly. As the
ers, using a technique called sewer mining. At the heart of the wastewater treatment ready for connection, including a full set plant is nestled within the course, it was im-
State-of-the-art technology would then be process lies a membrane bioreactor. In this of sensors, star-delta starter (or frequency portant that we selected equipment with low
brought to bear, so as to ensure that the system, the treated water from the biologi- converter) and complete CE and EMC-certi- noise levels and the KAESER blowers have
wastewater is sufficiently treated to meet cal reactor is drawn through the surface of fication, they considerably reduce both the certainly proven to be quiet operators, con-
the necessary quality levels. This is where a membrane, which serves to remove any workload and expenditure associated with tributing to the overall whisper-quiet sound
the rotary lobe blowers from KAESER remaining solids and pathogens. When planning, assembly, certification, docu- level of the plant.”
come into play; blowers are a key compo- the suspended solids are rejected from the mentation and commissioning. As with all
nent of any wastewater treatment facility membrane surface, they are returned to KAESER products, they are designed for
and the water recycling plant at PHGC is the start of the biological reactor. The water maximum levels of efficiency, reliability and
no exception. Fortunately, the premises at which passes through the membrane can durability and, thanks to minimal mainte-
Pennant Hills included a patch of unused then be reused following further disinfection nance and service requirements, guarantee The water recycling plant supplies the club
land situated just 100m from the sewer in via UV and chlorine. lowest possible life-cycle costs. with its own source of irrigation water.

18 | KAESER report
Sandwiches, wraps, paninis and baguettes from QiZiNi

Where snacks meet

compressed air – or do they?
When you decide to treat yourself to a sandwich at a service station, or when you are served
a wrap or panini whilst cruising through the air at 10,000 metres, there is a good chance
that it originated in QiZiNi’s creative kitchens – this Dutch company, which produces more In the food industry, it is absolutely vital that
than 200,000 fresh wraps, burritos, paninis and luxury sandwiches a day at two sites in the
Netherlands, counts service station operators and several airlines amongst its customers. compressed air meets the highest standards
As you would expect, a clean supply of food-grade compressed air plays a key role in their production of quality and purity.
processes. So when it came to selecting the compressors for those two production facilities, it was only
natural that they should turn to KAESER…

QiZiNi’s smoky bacon and egg sandwiches are especially popular.

as paninis and burritos to be warmed up enormously in shape, weight and individual Energy-optimised the whole air station. “Because maximising
later at home. Customers include su- characteristics. This makes it difficult to use The machine room at QiZiNi is equipped our energy savings is an issue close to our
permarket chains, petrol stations, robots or other machines for such purpos- with a frequency-controlled rotary screw hearts, we opted for compressors equipped
catering companies and airlines, es as putting together rolls, or packaging. compressor plus two type ASD 50 fixed- with a heat recovery system. We are plan-
principally in France, Germany Things are easier when it comes to apply- speed rotary screw compressors from ning a special project to determine how
and the Benelux countries – ing sauces or dressings, because here an KAESER, all of which are controlled via a best to harness the potential this offers us.”
where their products can be automatic dosing system can be used.” KAESER SIGMA AIR MANAGER master The production of sandwiches, paninis and
wraps is principally a manual process and is
found under both the QiZiNi controller for maximum energy efficiency. Rapid service difficult to automate.
and Natsu brand names, Super-clean compressed air The unique 3-D Advanced Control continu- Asked why both QiZiNi facilities chose to go
amongst others. The com- QiZiNi’s facility in Losser covers an area ously analyses the relationship between in- with KAESER compressors, Henk Blanken-
pany’s two Dutch production of 5000 m² and contains a broad range of dividual parameters (e.g. switching vs con- stijn replies: “KAESER is a supplier we feel
facilities in Alphen aan den processing and packaging machines. Com- trol efficiency) and predictively calculates we can always depend on. Reliability is a
Rijn and Losser provide pressed air plays an important part in the the most energy-efficient operation from hugely important factor for us; that’s why we
jobs for more than 250 peo- production process – for controlling the ma- the many options available, thereby taking opted for a redundant compressor configu-
ple. chines by means of pneumatic cylinders, into account not only the number of starts ration, because it leaves us the option of ex-
for example, and for cleaning the machines and stops, but also idling and frequency panding it further later on. We have always
Freshly handmade – and processing tables. converter losses and pressure flexibility. had positive experiences when it comes to
every day “The compressed air never comes into di- This serves to optimise the pressure per- dealing with KAESER. They offer a profes-
According to Head of Maintenance Henk rect contact with the product itself,” explains formance of the entire compressed air sys- sional service organisation and their prod-
Blankenstijn, responsible for all the pro- Henk Blankenstijn. “But it is used to clean tem and reduce the average pressure level, ucts are extremely durable. All in all, we are
duction machines and technical systems in machines and surfaces that do, so we have whilst guaranteeing the energy efficiency of very satisfied indeed.”
For its diverse selection of wraps, QiZiNi operation at QiZiNi’s site in Losser, turning to ensure that the air meets the strictest
uses only the best, freshest ingredients. out such a wide variety of products quickly, food-grade quality standards. In practice,
efficiently and safely is a major challenge. this means it must comply with the specifi-
On the right are the two ASD 50 rotary screw
“Despite the fact that a lot of our work has cations laid down in ISO 8573-1, which are compressors from KAESER. To the left of
QiZiNi was founded in the Netherlands in to be done manually, we are trying to auto- 1.2.1”. each compressor (left side of image) stands
2011 as a joint venture between Johma mate as many stages as possible, because Achieving this level of purity – which de- a KAESER DC 50 desiccant dryer and
Sandwiches and Greencore Niederlande. efficient production processes are an im- mands a pressure dew point of -40 °C – re- ACT 50 activated carbon filter.

Images: QiZiNi Group B.V.

Part of Germany’s Natsu Foods Group portant factor for remaining competitive quires the use of a desiccant dryer with oil/
“Reliability and durability are important
since 2015, its specialities include fresh- in this market,” he explains. “But automa- water separator and activated carbon filter, factors for us when it comes to purchasing
ly prepared wraps, sandwiches and ba- tion is a big challenge in this industry. We not to mention various other KAESER Filter new compressors,” says Head of Main-
guettes for immediate consumption, as well are working with fresh produce that varies products as well. tenance Henk Blankenstijn.

20 | KAESER report KAESER report | 21

 compressed air equipment. When, in 2019, Following a comprehensive ADA (Air Officer Peter Bley had another choice to
A reduction in CO2 emissions thanks to advanced compressor technology the time came to replace their ageing, Demand Analysis) and consultation with make: outright purchase or contracting?
energy-hungry compressors with a modern KAESER field representatives, three type The advantages of KAESER’s contracting
compressed air station, PRETTL GmbH ASD 50 rotary screw compressors (flow concept, SIGMA AIR UTILITY, are clear:

Contracting for a
Magnet- und Schaltertechnik sought to find rate 4.58 m³/min, max. gauge pressure with this model, the user purchases a con-
high-efficiency products that would from the 8.5 bar, air-cooled with integrated heat tractually agreed volume of compressed air,

sustainable future
outset offer clear reductions in both energy recovery) were installed, which – thanks treated to a predefined quality level, direct-
costs and emissions in comparison to the to their SIGMA PROFILE rotors and inno- ly from the supplier and therefore does not
outgoing machinery. They also wanted to vative drive concept – deliver improved have to be concerned about any of the costs
install a heat recovery system, so as to be performance, reliability and energy effi- and inconvenience associated with repairs,
able to reuse heat energy from the com- ciency. Two highly efficient TE 142 refrig- service and maintenance, etc. – these as-
pressors for heating their office spaces. eration dryers were selected to provide the pects are taken care of by the operator. This
necessary compressed air treatment and was ultimately the path chosen by PRETTL.
Wanted: Reliability with flexibility the complete ensemble is controlled and In addition to the cost benefits associated
“Ecology is the future” is the At the PRETTL GmbH Magnet- und Schal- monitored by a SIGMA AIR MANAGER with opting for a contracting model, there
simple, yet positive and op- tertechnik plant, where over 40 interlinked master controller. are also clear environmental benefits to be
production systems operate in production gained from permanent monitoring of effi-
timistic guiding principle that halls with a combined area of 3000 m², each The question of space ciency, which is continuously optimised to
motivates the PRETTL Group. of the processes involved requires com- Space restrictions meant that the compres- achieve best possible performance.
It is a maxim that this family- pressed air to drive pneumatic elements sor station could not be installed inside any
and cylinders. Availability issues are not an of the production halls, which led manage- Peter Bley and Jochen Dümmler are more
run group of companies from option for this automotive supplier, accord- ment to opt for a containerised solution, than satisfied with the new air station, which
the historic German region of ing to Project Engineer Jochen Dümmler, located outdoors. Not only the compres- supports their drive for sustainability and
since such problems would impact upon sors, but also the SIGMA AIR MANAGER environmental protection through the appli-
Swabia takes very seriously, them all the more severely for their systems 4.0 were installed in this fashion. By means cation of advanced technology. “Our latest
implementing their sustain- being interlinked. It also had to be borne in of remote monitoring, the master control- energy-related KPIs show us that, thanks
ability activities on a global mind that strong fluctuations were an intrin- ler ensures the highest possible level of to the new air station, our power consump-
sic feature of their compressed air demand, compressed air availability; it also serves tion for compressed air generation is now
level across multiple branches since numerous systems and machines are to conduct efficiency analyses and initiate 80, 000 kWh lower than it was the previous
and individual companies. only operated temporarily in the halls for the service requests. year – which equates to a CO2 reduction of
purposes of testing, after which they are 48 tonnes.”
With a comprehensive energy then transferred to other locations. It was Purchase or contracting?
management system first therefore important for the new systems to Once the decision had been made to
offer a high degree of flexibility. choose KAESER, Energy Management
introduced in 2016, the holding
company has been working
towards the ambitious goal of
achieving CO2 neutrality, which
it plans to roll out on a group-
wide basis over the coming KAESER
years. Service Centre
This automotive supplier manufactures customised vehicle electrical systems, coils, valves
and control elements.

The cornerstone of the PRETTL Group half of the group’s turnover is generated in employ professional methods and strate- Compressed air station
was established in the Swabian town of the automotive sector, where firms such gies for analysing and evaluating the overall
Pfullingen in 1953, with the founding of the as PRETTL GmbH Magnet- und Schalter- energy consumption of the PRETTL Group
Franz W. PRETTL metalworking company. technik – or in English, PRETTL Magnetic – with the aim of reducing this to sustaina-
Today, the group of businesses gathered and Switching Technology Ltd – specialise ble levels within a calculable period of time,”
under the umbrella of PRETTL Production in the manufacture of customised vehicle declares Peter Bley, PRETTL’s Energy Man-
Holdings, PRETTL Investment Holdings electrical systems, injection systems, coils, agement Officer. “Our goal over the coming
and PRETTL Industrial Holdings accounts valves, control elements and sensors. years is to achieve CO2 neutrality, for which Our two main objectives were
for 10,000 employees across 40 individ-
ual companies and spreads across the KPIs for sustainability
we have adopted the slogan PRETTL GO
ZERO ”. sustainability and flexibility.
entire globe. Now run by third-generation The energy management system was first
shareholders Willi and Johannes Prettl, the introduced in 2016, with the aim of creating The first step towards realisation of their
PRETTL Group is active in the fields of auto- a sustainable and environmentally friendly new sustainability goals began with the
motive, electronics, energy, components & operation. “In creating this system, we laid procurement of energy-efficient machines The three ASD 50 rotary screw compressors are installed in a container, along with a SIGMA AIR MANAGER 4.0 master controller, which
systems and strategic acquisitions. Around the foundations necessary to allow us to and systems. Naturally, this included the controls the entire station at the highest levels of efficiency and in constant contact with the KAESER Service Centre.

22 | KAESER report KAESER report | 23

 KAESER KOMPRESSOREN SE
P.O. Box 21 43 – 96410 Coburg – GERMANY
Tel.: +49 9561 640-0 – Fax: +49 9561 640130
www.kaeser.com – e-mail: productinfo@kaeser.com

The new EBS 410 rotary screw blower

Maximum efficiency, minimal space requirement
Flow rate 10 to 41 m³/min, pressure differential up to 1.1 bar

High-performance and ready-to-run

Slip-free Complete machine including controller and
synchronous reluctance motor frequency converter or star-delta starter Compact footprint
With a compact footprint of only
Combines all the advantages of
2.2 m2 (C version), units can be
high-efficiency permanent magnet motors
installed side-by-side
with the benefits of robust, maintenance-
friendly asynchronous motors

Maximum efficiency
Up to 35% more efficient than
conventional rotary lobe blowers,
SIGMA PROFILE thanks to Sigma Profile rotors and
World-renowned rotary screw high-efficiency IES2 / IE4 drive
technology from KAESER now motors
available for the low-pressure
range
www.kaeser.com

KAESER KOMPRESSOREN – More compressed air for less energy