Applications for Inovair Technology

The leader in air compressors utilized in aircraft deicing operations, Inovair’s high-efficiency, high-performance centrifugal compressor technology also has significant advantages for additional applications, including pneumatic conveying, aircraft deicing, high inlet temperature applications and municipal wastewater treatment. Both stationary and portable models are available.

High Inlet Air Temperature / Manufacturing

A “recycled products manufacturer” had searched world wide for an industrial blower capable of standing up to their unique and challenging manufacturing process: forcing air heated to 350º F into an oven to rapidly dry the product before it could be removed from the mold. Traditional positive-displacement blowers simply “melted down” under the high-heat, 24/7 duty cycles required by the equipment and process developer. This company’s world wide search led them to Iηovair and a blower technology capable of meeting their demanding needs.

Utilizing the compact and durable Iηovair 2200 blower, this technology has proven to be more than capable of standing up to the 350º F inlet air temperatures. Operating at 5-7 psi and providing a constant 1,400 cfm of heated airflow, the automated manufacturing process also carries a 24/7 duty cycle for maximum productivity.

The ability to tolerate high inlet air temperatures is also helpful for vacuum conveying applications.

Quiet and Energy-Saving Load Out Line

Loading trucks and railcars can be a stressful operation. A loud blower only adds to the stress, making it more difficult to communicate with fellow workers and equipment operators.  Loud blowers also potentially limit operational hours of a plant, especially if a plant has residential properties encroaching or is facing changes in noise ordinances. Additionally, if the load out operation is time sensitive, it is important that a blower can reliably operate at higher pressure levels, to improve throughput and productivity.

The Iηovair Complete Blower System (shown in the photo above) was put to work loading flour into trucks and railcars. The Iηovair blower replaced an existing PD blower which was located outside under a rain cover. Given this outside setting, reducing blower noise to less than 85 dBA was a major advancement for the facility – meeting current NIOSH guidelines while surpassing those from OSHA. Additionally, the Iηovair blower showed an immediate 20%+ energy savings  (at 8-9 psi) when compared to the previous PD blower.

The Complete Blower System is designed to operate in a variety of conditions, from the extremes of a blower room to outside exposure.  This particular installation is in the Midwest, and has experienced snow and a wide range of ambient temperatures.

Aircraft Deicing

Aircraft deicers are expected to operate in arguably the most adverse weather conditions imaginable. Dependability and reliability are critical to efficient operations. Several manufacturers utilize forced air deicing to not only speed the process, but also to reduce the use of environmentally harmful glycol by nearly 80%. This saves money for materials and time needed for deicing operations, as well as environmental remediation.

Inovair compressors have a long history in the aircraft deicing industry, including being the compressor of choice for companies with major commercial aircraft deicing contracts as well as equipment used by the United States Air Force, the Royal Canadian Air Force and others.

Today, Inovair is the leading OEM supplier of compressors for military and commercial aircraft deicing equipment.

Pneumatic Conveying

For dilute phase pneumatic conveying lines running 12+ psi, problems can arise with rotary positive displacement blowers being operated at the upper end of their operational range.

At 12+ psi, PD blowers may have less ability than desired to achieve the necessary pressure rise to overcome the formation of plugs. Furthermore, PD blower longevity may be compromised at higher pressure levels and duty cycles. Iηovair blowers on the other hand, with pressure capability up to 22 psi, are able to achieve the desired pressure rise to overcome potential plugs at 12+ psi, and remain extremely durable at higher pressure levels.

Facility downtime is expensive, whether caused by a plugged line or a failing blower. Additionally, the noise levels from PD blowers being run at high psi can become unacceptable, requiring additional investment in silencers and/or noise isolation. The Iηovair blower (shown below) has not only generated energy savings approaching 30%, it has also shown the ability to generate a larger pressure rise than the PD blower it replaced, reducing the exposure to plugs.

As a result of our smaller footprint and 85 dBA* noise rating, the Iηovair CBS was able to be located outside of the blower room and closer to the airlock. This move resulted in reduced crowding and heat inside the blower room, creating a better environment for maintenance of the other blowers. Additionally, air discharge temperatures are substantially lower, reducing moisture loss during flour transport.

Other Applications

The Inovair 2200 Drop In Replacement is also a great option for reducing energy consumption and noise levels at municipal wastewater treatment plants currently utilizing PD blowers.