The Meech’s air technology range is both energy efficient and versatile. This article looks at the different types of energy saving technologies Meech offers, including safety nozzles, high thrust jets and air curtains. The article also touches on Meech’s products and how they are utilised for packaging and labelling.

Iain Cameron, Marketing Director, Meech International 

Used in over 90% of all manufacturing, the industrial sector looks to compressed air as an essential resource – its reliability and versatility has seen it utilised across a number of industries, including food, drink, oil, gas, etc. 

Three quarters of a compressor’s cost over its 10 year life is spent producing compressed air. However, 30% of that compressed air is typically lost through leaks – misuse of equipment, infrequent maintenance and lack of investment are the main reasons for this. Leading to increasing amounts of energy being utilised for air systems, leaks can result in significant costs and increase a company’s carbon footprint. 

With this in mind, what alternative compressed air technology solutions can organisations utilise to be sure of running an economical and environmentally friendly business that benefits both them and their customers?

Meech Air Technology (MAT)

Meech’s Air Technology range consists of products designed to reduce the volume of compressed air a company uses. They do this by utilising “free” ambient air and entraining it into the compressed air flow. This results in a company being able to reduce air pressure without affecting the air velocity. In addition, they will also reduce noise levels by up to 30dBA.   

Air curtains, air amplifiers, nozzles and high thrust jets are used to dry, move, clean and cool products within industrial processes. These devices have no moving parts and so require little to no overall maintenance.

Meech’s Air Curtains, for example, are capable of cutting compressed air demand by up to 70%. With an air amplification ratio of 25:1, the design is based around the release of a small amount of air through a 0.002in slot along its length. Air Curtains can be used for cleaning, drying of tall or wide items, providing a barrier to the side of a door, or cooling products. Its design allows for air produced to travel down the front face of the air curtain, creating an area of low pressure behind it and delivering strong airflow to the target. 

Meech’s versatile Air Amplifier provides large airflows whilst consuming a minimal volume of compressed air. With amplifications ratios between 4 and 25:1, air amplifiers receive a tiny amount of compressed air through its adjustable circular slot – this creates a tube of air that travels inside the jet towards the front. Air Amplifiers are capable of huge reduction in compressed air consumption, for example one singe 8mm open pipe running at 80psi would consume approximately 75 cfm, whilst a medium Air Amplifier will only consume 25cfm.    

Meech’s energy saving safety nozzles can be utilised for many different applications. They can be fitted to almost any existing open pipe whilst creating an air amplification ratio of 25:1. With high velocity air flow generated, energy saving safety nozzles are ideal for blowing liquid off of objects, replacing open pipes and pushing products off a conveyor line.

Using a small amount of compressed air to generate a high powered blast, Meech’s High Thrust Jets (HTJ) come in four different sizes. Similarly to the other products in the range, they have reduced noise production up to 30dBA and can connect to most existing air supplies. On top of their energy saving credentials, they are fully adjustable, require no maintenance and are easy to install. HTJ’s key capabilities include product ejection, cleaning, drying and cooling.

With air systems on the market capable of offering a variety of uses, reduced running costs and lower environmental impacts, companies should look into their current practices and decide if a change is needed. Moving into the direction of compressed air devices with multiple purposes can offer businesses benefits on top of financial and energy savings, including added performance, reduced waste and extended compressor life.