Technology

Aeration tanks use bubble diffusers to distribute oxygen within the wastewater. Fine bubble diffusers, or those that produce a large amount of very small air bubbles, first began to become popular in the 1980s, as they had a much higher efficiency than coarse bubble diffusers. Fine bubble diffusers generally feature a membrane that allows airflow to pass from the piping system on the floor of the tank through the body of the diffuser and the membrane, providing oxygen into the wastewater for treatment.

For 165 years, Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum has developed and supplied vacuum pumps, systems, standardized and customized vacuum solutions, and after-sales services for a wide range of industrial and research-based applications. In these fields of industry, Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum offers low, medium, high and ultrahigh vacuum pumps, vacuum systems, measuring gauges and instruments, leak detectors, valves and fittings, as well as consulting and engineering for complete vacuum solutions.

We were fortunate enough to speak with Keith Webb, the Application Engineering Manager at MD-Kinney, to learn about the company and its manufacturing equipment. During our discussion, we talked about the company’s blower and vacuum technologies, common markets and applications, and MD-Kinney’s custom-engineering capabilities. Webb even touched on some trends in energy management regarding blower and vacuum systems.

The overall wastewater treatment process is complex, and each step is integral to ensuring water is properly purified. Effluent ends up in the plants, containing substances that must be removed before the water can be properly cleaned and returned for use. The range of potential contaminants is almost endless and can include food, pulp, waste, or other substances. Afterwards, the water requires further scrubbing, with the aid of bacteria. It is in this part of the process that compressed air (ideally provided by energy-efficient rotary lobe blowers) plays a vital role.

“What is the best type of oil to use in my vacuum pump?” is a common question for sure, and one that may often yield confusing and conflicting answers. The rule of thumb is that it is always best to follow OEM recommendations, but why do they recommend the lubricants that they do? For the purpose of this article, we will focus on some of the general industrial vacuum pump applications and their lubricant choices.

Hannover Messe 2015 attracted 220,000 visitors with 70,000 coming from outside Germany. The blower and vacuum industry was very well represented and presented itself as a very healthy industry with high levels of innovation and activity. The goal of this article is to provide readers with a sampling of highlight technologies catching my eye – with apologies to the many companies left out due to editorial space limitations.

Many manufacturing processes are like offensive linemen. When everything is running smoothly, nobody tends to notice. But, when an application starts creating a hazardous work environment (think too many blindsided sacks), or the products start spoiling (think shutout or a losing season), you best believe someone will start paying attention.

Bringing a New Technology to an Established Market Segment

Atlas Copco recently released a new series of oil-sealed rotary screw vacuum pumps specifically designed for the rough vacuum utility market. Their new vacuum pumps, called the GHS VSD+ Series, boasts a unique technology that is relatively uncommon in the rough vacuum utility market, namely variable speed drive (VSD) controls. According to Jerry Geenen, Atlas Copco’s VP and Business Line Manager of the company’s Utility Vacuum Division in North America, there are not many, if any, companies that utilize VSD technology in their vacuum pump products.

The application of vacuum generating equipment has many uses in industry today but unfortunately, vacuum remains a bit of a mystery. The objective of this article is to provide answers to the most commonly asked questions for when vacuum is used to make, move or transform a product or item.

This guide explains three blower technologies and,using examples from actual wastewater plants, describes the most effective technology for particular applications and why. Of course there is no substitute for a consultation specific to your application; however, the guide can help raise the right questions and ensure a productive vendor and technology evaluation process.