Energy consumption can account for as much as 75% of a wastewater treatment plant’s total costs, with aeration systems generally being one of the industry’s biggest energy users. Aeration is a critical and energy-intensive process for the sector, with typically 60% of energy costs attributed to this process.
The Robox operating range extends from positive displacement, from traditional lobe and screw solutions, all the way to centrifugal compression with high-speed turbo blower technology. This means the system can be adapted for both low- and high-pressure configurations, with a range of up to 2.5 bar and an air flow rate of up to 26,500 m3/h.
The package is fitted with a high-speed motor and drive to reach the high rotational speeds – up to 45,000 RPM – required for the operating pressure levels of the turbo technology.
The system’s impeller uses air foil bearings, which generate a completely contactless transmission when the turbo blower is running. This eliminates any mechanical efficiency losses, as well as ensuring no oil is needed in the system’s air end.
Antonio Stefanile, Robuschi product manager, comments: “One big factor that can influence a system’s operational efficiency is its turndown capabilities. Expressed as a ratio of the blower’s operating range, comparing its high end with its low end, turndown essentially illustrates how flexible a system is in meeting unexpected air demands. A greater turndown capability means a system is able to more efficiently meet an application’s air requirements, without wasting energy.
“Thanks to the product mix that the Robox Turbo package now covers, which includes a lobe, screw and turbo blower, we can meet wide turndown ranges for wastewater treatment sites. The turbo blower can be used to accommodate baseline loads at facilities, and then users can switch to the lobe or screw blower for either low loads or peak times.”
The control system has an option for remote monitoring.