Keeping energy costs watertight

Less than six months after installing a new L75RS regulated speed compressor with heat recovery from CompAir, Leeds-based Just Trays, a manufacturer of shower trays, is on target to achieve annual energy savings in the region of £23,000, with a fast payback on investment.

Ricky Dumbleton, senior production manager, says: "Based on the results of a week-long air audit, we asked a number of compressed air suppliers to put forward their recommendations. CompAir identified that, by installing a new, lubricated screw L75RS regulated speed compressor, as well as a heat recovery system, we could benefit from considerable energy savings.

"Working 10h/day, 4 days/week, the regulated speed technology in the L75RS produces the correct amount of air to match fluctuating requirements and a peak demand of about 12.5m3/min, so the compressor always runs at optimum efficiency.

This is set to provide cost savings in the region of £15,000 per annum." Just Trays' vacuum forming process needed four 9kW heat exchangers to achieve water temperature to 90°C. The heat recovery system installed by CompAir enables the water feed to be preheated, so now just one heat exchanger is required, saving a further £7000 per annum.