A round-up of some recent compressor launched, including new TurboScrew models from CompAir.

CompAir is still very much in the portable compressor game following its acquisition in 2008 by Gardner Denver - the US$2 billion stock-listed manufacturer of pumps, blowers and fluid transfer equipment - and it will launch three new fuel-efficient, high-pressure portable units at Bauma.

CompAir says the new C230TS-17, C210TS-21 and C200TS-24 compressors are designed to deliver up to 26% energy savings on conventional models. The latest addition to CompAir's established TurboScrew C series, the three units can produce pressures of up to 24 bar and volume flow up to 23m3/min, making them ideal for demanding applications such as water well and geothermal drilling.

CompAir says that compared to conventional portable compressors, the new models deliver up to 26% better fuel efficiency with no loss in pressure, helping site managers reduce the cost of diesel used and the frequency of refuelling.

Powered by a Cummins engine, the compressor has two turbochargers powering a CompAir screw compressor unit, with the addition of an engine exhaust gas turbine to precompress the inlet air before it enters the compression chamber. This converts 5% of wasted exhaust energy into power to create compressed air.

The compressors run at 1000 rpm when idling in offload mode, which is equivalent to turning down the fuel consumption by up to 58% when there is no air requirement.

Each unit weighs less than 3500 kg, allowing it to be towed by a standard 4x4 vehicle with no need for air brakes.

CompAir's portable models now come in sizes from 1.0 m3/min up to 27 m3/min volume flow. "We can offer the right product for a wide range of rental applications, ranging from small repair jobs to construction and infrastructure projects to geothermal drilling to name a few", says Frederique Gerard, CompAir's marketing director, EMEA industrial compressors.

CompAir Q&A

IRN: Is CompAir still committed to the portable compressor market?
Frederique Gerard, marketing director, EMEA industrial compressors, CompAir: Absolutely. CompAir remains committed to this market and will be present at this year's Bauma exhibition where it will be launching its new high pressure TurboScrew range. Despite the recession, CompAir has continued to invest in R&D with the design and development of these three models; a further addition to its well proven and successful C series TurboScrew compressor range.

IRN: What are the general plans for the product line?
FG: Fuel efficiency continues to be a key driver in our new product development. At CompAir, our development teams continue to look for new ways to maximise performance, at every stage of the compressors' design - incorporating features that achieve both efficiency improvements and cost benefits for the user as well as meeting stringent emissions legislation.

We have therefore developed these new compressors to meet specific customer demands for an easy-to-tow portable unit that can produce high pressure air, whilst offering low operating costs and high reliability.

IRN: Any change to manufacturing since CompAir's acquisition by Gardner Denver in 2008?
FG: There has been no change in our manufacturing. We continue to design, develop and manufacture our portable compressors at our factory in Simmern, Germany.

Doosan expands
range with 12/150

Doosan Infracore Portable Power (DIPP) has launched its largest single axle portable compressor, the 14.9 m3/min output 12/150.

The compressor's 14.9 m³/min free air delivery is at an output pressure of 12 bar and the unit is designed for use in equipment rental, construction, quarrying and general industry.

DIPP says the unit offers "outstanding" towing stability for transport behind a vehicle, and is durable and easily services. Powered by a Cummins QSB 6.7 FR91440 6-cylinder diesel engine, it has a power output of 164 kW at a full load speed of 2000 rpm.

One feature that DIPP says rental companies will like is an intuitive, simple key-start sequence, which makes it less likely to be damaged by poorly trained operators.

A bunded base is a standard feature for environmental protection and well-positioned fuel tanks featuring large size fillers also limit the risk of fuel spillage.

An optional diesel engine exhaust spark arrestor is a key safety feature for hazardous area applications and should the engine begin to accelerate due to volatile vapours in the atmosphere, an optional overspeed valve prevents damage by closing the air intake to the engine.

In addition to the new 12/150, Doosan Portable Power has launched a new version of the established 7/41 portable unit, supplying 4.0 m3/min of compressed air at 7 bar output pressure.

This new version features the "Tough Top" polymer canopy, which combines durability with a more modern look. As well as being hard-wearing the new canopy is non-corrodible, can be supplied in customer colours and retrofitted to existing 7/41 units.

Lightweight
rental runner

Atlas Copco says its new lightweight XAS 87 Kd compressor has been developed specifically for the European rental and construction industries. Weighing less than 750 kg it will be easy to transport from site to site using a standard driving licence.

The XAS 87 Kd is powered by a 4-cylinder, water-cooled Kubota V1505 turbo charged diesel engine rated at 33 kW.

The unit provides a free air delivery of 5m³/min (83 l/s) at 7 bar, providing a three tool capacity. The company gives the example of driving pneumatic tools such as chipping and jade hammers, grinders and rammers; "making the XAS 87 Kd ideal for basic construction demands."

Available with a standard steel or polyethylene HardHat canopy, the compressor is equipped as standard with a 40 l compact fuel tank.

The unit also is offered with a cold start aid as an option, enabling the unit to start at temperatures of down to -20 °C.

Also new from Atlas Copco are updated versions of its XAHS 237 (236 l/s, 12 bar) and XAMS 287 (285 l/s, 8.6 bar) compressors, now with Deutz Tier 3 engines to replace the Caterpillar units used previously. Copco says that for a short introductory period, the standard package includes the FuelXpert management system and an after cooler/water separator.

Simplex keeps the
St Lawrence open

Montreal rental company Location d'Outils Simplex (Simplex) has rented 15 compressors to prevent water freezing in locks on the St Lawrence River, helping to maintain shipping through to the Great Lakes.

A mix of Atlas Copco compressors - XAS 1600s, XAMS 1050s and XAMS 850s models - were supplied for three weeks in December and will be used again in April to extend the shipping season. The compressors, which are used at four locks along a 220 km stretch of the river around Montreal, supply up to 6800 m3/min (4000 cfm) per lock. Air is pumped directly into the water to prevent the water freezing and to improve the stability of vessels.

Simplex workshop manager, Stéphane Castilloux, says; "With temperatures hovering between -10ºC to -20ºC, it is essential that all the compressors include the Atlas Copco 'cold weather' package and that we maintain constant checks". The rental company, which has a fleet of 100 portable Atlas Copco compressors, checks oil levels and all functions daily, with a mechanic visiting each site twice a day.

COMPRESSOR HIGHLIGHTS
Bauma is where Atlas Copco starts to really push its Chicago Pneumatic brand in Europe. Having already rebranded its Irmair compressors as Chicago Pneumatic in Europe, the company will use Bauma to show a wide range of gensets and compressors as well as a selection of handheld tools and breakers and light concreting and compaction equipment. Notable product launches will include the new CPS 7.5 compressor, produced in Belgium, and a lighter version (by 250 kg) of the previous model. The unit, which uses a Deutz engine, delivers 7.6 m³/min (269 cfm) at 7 bar (102 psi) working pressure, and is designed for abrasive sandblasting, running pneumatic tools and general construction work. With a full fuel tank, the unit weighs 1475 kg and it measures 1.46 m high by 1.68 m wide with a length (including towbar) of 4.36 m. The canopy is fully galvanised. The full Chicago Pneumatic compressor range now comprises 10 models from 2.0 m3/min up to 10.4 m3/min.

Japan's Hokuetsu Industries is planning to expand the range of Airman compressors in sells in Europe. The company has been making portable compressors for over 70 years and is best known for its Airman brand - a name also used for the mini-excavators it has been producing since the early 80s. Mr Hiroshi Yoshida, managing director of Hokuetsu Industries Europe, based in the Netherlands, tells IRN that 170 m3/hr (100 cfm) and 315 m3/hr (185 cfm) portable screw Airman compressors will be added to the European range some time after the summer. The current line-up comprises the 220 m3/hr (130 cfm) PDS130S portable unit and the 127 m3/hr (75 cfm) PDS75S containerised version. The company, which is not exhibiting at Bauma this year, is represented in North America by MMD Equipment and sells four compressor models there.

Although having troubles at its French production plant in Montbrison, which it plans to close (see News this issue), Sullair Europe says it has been having some success in selling its S38 G combined compressor/generator unit to rental companies, with GAP Group in the UK among recent customers. The S38 G is based on the S38 compressor but with the addition of a 5.5 kW power offtake for using electrical tools or equipment, such as a lighting tower, as well as pneumatic tools. The compressor is a 121 m3/hr-6.9 bar (71 cfm/100 psi) unit and it weight just under 600 kg. The company's US-produced range of compressors include the AF (aftercooled and filtered) models in the 510 m3/hr to 2720 m3/hr (300 - 1600 cfm) sizes.

The G-series of single-stage, wheeled compressors from US manufacturer Jenny Products Inc comprises four durable, Honda GX-powered petrol models with air deliveries of 27.5 m3/hr at 6.9 bar (16.2 cfm/100 psi) or 26.5 m3/hr at 8.6 bar (15.6 cfm/125 psi). The units use Jenny's ‘G' pump, a heavy-duty, single-stage cast-iron compressor pump that is powered by the 6 kW (8 hp) engines. The series is available with four air tank configurations: 36 l and 67 l (8 and 15 gallon) tanks and 76 l and 135 l (17 and 30 gallon) tanks. The latter come standard with two wheels, and the smaller 36/67 l units have the option of one or two wheels. The compressors have integrated handles at opposite ends of the frames.