Subsea cable maker gets on board with new compressors11 October 2013

Subsea cable systems manufacturer Oceaneering Umbilical Solutions is achieving crucial on-time loading of cable carousels thanks to a new compressed air system, feature two fixed-speed and one variable-speed compressor.

The three 250 kW GD compressors from Gardner Denver distributor CPA Group, are feeding air skate equipment, which lifts the heavy umbilical cables on to carousels before they are loaded on to waiting vessels at Rosyth dockyard.

A reliable compressed air supply is essential during the loading process – delivery delays can cost thousands of pounds if the installing vessels cannot leave the port.

Oceaneering's existing compressors from another supplier were 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.

CPA carried out an audit to analyse air demand and energy consumption, and was awarded the contract to supply the new equipment.

The new package incorporates two fixed-speed ESN250 models and a VS250 variable-speed unit running at 8 bar. 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: "Our old compressed air system was, at times, generating too much air for our requirements meaning that we were wasting energy," says Charlie McCartney, manufacturing support manager.

"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." The new equipment, he reports, has also reduced electricity consumption.

McCartney adds: "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."

CPA will also be maintaining the new compressors under a new service agreement including routine, scheduled maintenance and the supply of genuine spare parts.

Laura Cork

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