PECM Issue 35 2018 | Page 99

A compressed air audit will highlight key areas where efficiency is lost, such as through pipework leakages, which account of 35 per cent of total air consumption and can result in system contamination through osmosis. About the Gardner Denver Industrials Group Gardner Denver Industrials Group delivers the broadest range of compressors and vacuum products, in a wide array of technologies, to end-user and OEM customers worldwide in the industries it serves. Energy audits can also be used to quantify a compressor’s possible heat potential. Because 94 per cent of compressor- generated heat is recoverable, this can prove invaluable for companies looking to make operational efficiencies. The Group provides reliable and energy-efficient equipment that is put to work in a multitude of manufacturing and process applications. Products ranging from versatile low- to high-pressure compressors to customized blowers and vacuum pumps serve industries including general manufacturing, automotive, and waste water treatment, as well as food & beverage, plastics, and power generation. The Group’s global offering also includes a comprehensive suite of aftermarket services to complement its products. Because they show how much these inefficiencies can cost, and identify simple opportunities to improve productivity, safeguard product quality and reduce site downtime, energy audits are an important tool when considering overall efficiency. ICONN Another way to improve compressor efficiency is by capitalising on the data- driven opportunities available through Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things. With this in mind, Gardner Denver has introduced iConn, a cloud-based, air management platform that provides historic, real-time, predictive and cognitive analytics, allowing operators to rectify potential issues before they arise. iConn helps minimise fault incidences for increased uptime, and also provides detailed machine parameters and over-time trend analysis. As a result, operators can track real- time data to offer in-depth reports that track energy waste, where it occurs, and how. This enables plant managers to optimise system performance and improve overall efficiency. In conclusion, identifying inefficiencies and optimising performance is increasingly vital for operators looking to improve their bottom line. Specifying compressors correctly, using energy audits and taking advantage of platforms such as iConn, operators can ensure maximum energy efficiency and minimal wastage. Gardner Denver Industrials Group, part of Gardner Denver, Inc., is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. Gardner Denver was founded in 1859 and today has approximately 7,000 employees in more than 30 countries. For more information on Gardner Denver, energy audits and iConn, please visit www.gardnerdenver. com/industrials. Issue 35 PECM 99