Significant savings have been made through improvements in the use and management of compressed air and through the installation of dedicated low-pressure blower-based Aiknives.

Superglass Insulation manufactures mineral wool insulation products for domestic, commercial and industrial use from its facility in Stirling, Scotland. In return for receiving a rebate of GBP 80,000 of its climate change levy payments, the company is required to meet challenging specific energy targets. Working with the assistance of Action Energy and Energy Consultants the company identified and implemented various measures to reduce compressed air consumption.

One of the main issues to investigate was the use of compressed air for removing surface water and as a result of changes made the company now benefits from annual savings that will last for years to come.

Airknives - 'We previously used an air bar, working off dirty wet factory compressed air to remove surface water from the metal collection belt system,' explained Steven Whyte, Project Electrical Engineer.

'On hearing about the benefits of Air Control Industries' (ACI) Airknife system and free demonstration option, we decided to assess the Airknife's capabilities on the actual application.

Working off a radial-bladed blower at much lower pressure and drawing air through a filter, the Airknife immediately provided an improved performance over our original system.' 'We have since replaced a total of five compressed air systems throughout the plant with ACI's Airknives, resulting in significant energy and maintenance cost savings by eliminating such tasks as replacement of the air bar plastic wind jet nozzles which frequently broke off.

Most importantly', states Whyte, 'significant savings have been made through improvements in the use and management of compressed air and through the installation of dedicated low-pressure blower-based Aiknives supplied by ACI.

Overall, we have saved GBP 128,000 per annum for an outlay of GBP 32,000.