OREANDA-NEWS. March 25, 2011. Implementing its energy conservation program, KAMAZ has completed the first phase of a project for modernization of its compressor stations and signed a contract to start the second phase to improve energy efficiency of compressed air systems with ZAO Atlas Copco, Russia.

KAMAZ has been cooperating with Atlas Copco for a long time. The most part of pneumatic and electric tools currently used at KAMAZ are the products of this company. They fully meet technical requirements. In particular, these are eight-spindle nut runners and a two-spindle pneumatic system which are used for simultaneous high-precision tightening. In addition, Atlas Copco GA 55 air compressors are installed on KAMAZ racing cars too.

A large amount of compressed air is required to manufacture motor vehicles and diesel engines. Several years ago, KAMAZ began to implement a program for energy consumption optimization. The most effective solutions were offered by ZAO Atlas Copco at that time. KAMAZ purchased seven new compressor systems of the ZH series for two compressor stations. They feature the most advanced technologies, in particular, a high-tech air compressor and an output control system. It enables to control and change the volume of energy consumption depending on actual compressed air consumption. Moreover, some old centrifugal compressors were put out of operation.

According to the newly signed contract, ZAO Atlas Copco will deliver 21 ZH centrifugal air compressors, refrigeration dryers, and oil-filled screw compressors to KAMAZ in late summer – early autumn 2011. KAMAZ plans to take the next step towards improving energy efficiency of the compression system – to recover heat from the coolant. Hot water from the cooled compressors can be used in showers, for space heating or boiler preheating. It will help increase the energy efficiency of several production departments.

"Cooperation with the Russian subsidiary of Atlas Copco, the world’s leading provider of equipment and technological solutions to improve energy efficiency, is of great importance to KAMAZ,” said Islamgarey Shigapov, Deputy General Director – Technical Director of KAMAZ, commenting on the event. “Pneumatic tools, compressors, generators and other equipment of this company with a worldwide reputation proved to be really good. We will further improve our production facilities in this field realizing the second phase of the planned measures. We hope that the purchased equipment will greatly help us fulfill our plans to further optimize energy consumption.”