Atlas Copco blows through Oman Cement
Air compressors play key role at Oman Cement Company (OCC)
Atlas Copco has revealed that a large number of its air compressors are playing a key role at the cement plants of the Oman Cement Company SAOG (OCC), one of the pioneering cement manufacturers in the Middle East and the largest in Oman.
OCC air for plant and instrument air, pneumatic conveyors and for aeration in the cement silos, and today, OCC employs 16 Atlas Copco GA 160 oil-injected screw compressors; two ZA 6 single-stage, oil-free screw compressors; and ZS 30 rotary screw blowers.
Since 1983, OCC has symbolised Oman’s drive for self-reliance in core industries, contributing to the construction industry, and striving to consolidate the nation’s efforts toward infrastructure development and create resources to achieve self-sufficiency.
With a manufacturing facility that is ISO 9001 and ISO 14001-certified, OCC’s products meet global standards for performance and quality and reflect the company’s commitment to customer satisfaction.
The 16 Atlas Copco GA 160 oil-injected screw compressors, several of them with the variable speed drive (VSD) feature, have been installed by OCC at various locations throughout the plant. Meanwhile the GA compressors incorporate the latest generation of Atlas Copco’s state-of-the-art compression elements based on innovative asymmetric rotor profiles, a high-quality drive system and heavy-duty air inlet filters. All these components are selected to operate continuously in the toughest conditions and at ambient temperatures up to 55°C.
The GA VSD units reduce energy costs an additional 35% on average at the plant by automatically adjusting the air supply to meet air demand.
“In order to meet our quality commitment, we need committed business partners who are geared to deliver the highest performance and 24/7 support,” said Ziad Al Siyabi, maintenance manager at OCC. “Atlas Copco, over the years, has been able to deliver this through its huge compressed air equipment product portfolio and high quality service support through their distributor Bin Salim Enterprises, which makes them an automatic choice for our compressed air requirements.”
The ZS 30 oil-free blowers are used in aeration applications in the plant’s silos, and with the use of the screw technology, the ZS blower reduces energy costs by an average of 30% when compared to lobe technology. Al Siyabi said his team have been instrumental in upgrading the medium compressed air systems at the plant. One of the main issues at a cement facility is the dust, which creates huge problems for air-cooled compressors. Therefore, OCC has constructed a dedicated compressor room with dual filtration screeds to help eliminate this problem, which has increased reliability and reduced maintenance and energy costs as a result.
“With the success obtained so far at OCC, the Atlas Copco oil-free air team is quite confident about supporting OCC and meeting their high expectations with new, innovative solutions that deliver reliability and energy efficiency,” said Tony Van Herbruggen, Atlas Copco country manager, Oman.
