Compressed air system offers reliable, on-time loading of cable carousels

Phil Black - PII Editor 11/10/2013

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Oceaneering Umbilical Solutions (Oceaneering), a global leader in the design and manufacture of subsea cable systems is achieving reliable, on-time loading of its cable carousels thanks to a new compressed air system from Gardner Denver distributor, CPA Group (CPA).

The three 250 kW, GD compressors are providing an on-demand supply of air to the air skate equipment. This is used to lift the heavy umbilical cables on to the carousels before they are loaded on to the waiting vessels at Rosyth dockyard for delivery to the end customer.

APPLICATION DETAILS
A reliable, dependable compressed air supply is an essential component during the loading process. Delays in delivery can cost many thousands of pounds, as the installing vessels cannot leave the port, so it is essential that the compressed air equipment is totally dependable.

Oceaneering’s existing compressors from a previous supplier were around 15 years old and, although they had been maintained by CPA’s service team for the past four years, it was becoming difficult to source components without long lead times.

CPA carried out a full audit to analyse air demand and energy consumption and, following a tender process was awarded the contract to supply a new GD compressed air package.

Charlie McCartney, manufacturing support manager at Oceaneering explains:

“CPA has been providing high-quality service for our existing compressors for a number of years now, so we were confident that the support infrastructure would be in place to ensure equipment reliability. However, we also found that the Gardner Denver compressors offered superior technology to some of the other models we considered, making CPA a natural choice of supplier.”

The GD compressor solution
The new compressor package incorporates two fixed-speed ESN250 models and a VS250 variable-speed unit running at 8-bar pressure. A bespoke control interface helps distribute running hours evenly across the units and refrigerant dryers provide dry, quality air.

Previously, Oceaneering was using three fixed-speed compressors running continuously, which as Charlie McCartney explains, was very wasteful:

“Our old compressed air system was, at times, generating too much air for our requirements meaning that we were wasting energy. Now, the two 250kW fixed-speed compressors meet the majority of our air demand, with the variable-speed model coming on line to meet peaks in production. We can also alter the pressure band through the control system to cater for variations in demand.

“In addition, because we have invested in the latest compressor technology, the machines are running much more efficiently than before, helping us to reduce our electricity consumption too.”

The GD compressors combine reliable and easy-use operation with high efficiency. Designed to meet the rigours of continuous 24/7 operating demands, the compressors also feature a robust design and low noise level operation.
CPA will also be maintaining the new compressors under a new service agreement package including routine, scheduled maintenance and the supply of genuine spare parts.