PETpla.net Insider 10 / 2020

TOP TALK PETplanet Insider Vol. 21 No. 10/20 www.petpla.net 12 Alard: That is not such an easy question to answer. Piston compressors can go on for decades with the cor- rect maintenance regime unlike other types of compressors which can have a finite lifetime. We have compres- sors still operating after over 30 years in adverse conditions. However, the longer the compressor is operational (we are talking years), the more difficult it becomes to satisfy the consumable spares supply, likewise also electron- ics quickly become obsolete compared to mechanical parts. Another reason for a company to keep its compressor running is familiarity, they don’t want to change, the owner loves it, the mainte- nance staff don’t want to learn about a new machine…. Many excuses. So we take the view that 10 years is a good time period to review with the customer the options open to him. We would recommend a system audit. Can it be improved by a new management system for example? Would a new com- pressor take the place of two older units? It’s the closeness, the partnership, with our customers that AF pride themselves on, that we not only can have these types of discussions whilst maintaining and expanding our customer base. PETplanet: If retrofitting is the customers’ choice to update an older compressor in an energy-efficient way - what options do they have? Alard: We have several options. It could be mechanical, by retrofitting the latest designs of mechanical compres- sion parts, or cooling systems. Electri- cal, by replacing old PLC’s with the latest versions. Systems, by looking and analysing operational loads and powers. Heat recovery systems, either retrofitted or plug and play. Manage- ment control systems. As I have said previously, we have a dedicated depart- ment whose sole function is looking at customer upgrades. PETplanet: As you mentioned ear- lier, this year AF will not be attending Brau Beviale due to Covid-19. What would you have presented if you had been in Nuremberg this year? Alard: Recently AF has re-designed and developed our two stage industrial compressors into a larger, more energy efficient range based on our phenom- enally successful PET compressor for 3 to 15bar units for specialised applications. Low pressure units, two stage oil-free compressor for 8 and 10bar (from 3 to 15bar). So apart from presenting our OPC range we would be promoting more prominently our new “All in One,” a system which can deliver simultane- ously high and low pressure from a single 3 stage compressor. This multi flexible use compressor is a creative opportunity for customers to reduce Capex and Opex in a significant way. This system is protected by an interna- tional patent. PETplanet: AF currently has instal- lations in more than 175 countries. Geographically speaking, what is the focus in terms of expansion? Alard: To begin with, there is the “traditional” Greater Middle-East. AF Middle-East was already settled in the Jebel Ali Free Trade Zone but last year AF became owner of its own facili- ties, with spare parts components to market and service the Greater Middle East, Eastern Africa, and the 5 Stan (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan). So, next to the “traditional” Greater Middle-East, Asia, and Africa mature markets, Europe and Africa are pres- ently very active … But each and every country and regions require a quick and rapid service, and therefore we cannot afford to neglect any zone, there is no such thing as a “small” cus- tomer, there is no “second category” geographic sector. PETplanet: Thank you very much for Mr Alard, and all the best to AF and its 150 years jubilee! www.afcompressors.com COMPRESSORS New oil free piston reciprocating air compressor OPC-110 – 8bar and 10bar Yesterday and today - AF’s former production halls and the new warehousing facilities in Liège, Belgium frames. Highly competitive power to capacity rates make the reciprocating compressor very desirable to own and oper- ate when electrical energy costs are rising. These two-stage oil free compressors marketed as our OPC range can operate in the normal 7 to 10bar industrial standard and we have options