Low-carbon greenhouses select HPC Air Compressors
HPC has supplied new “World-first low carbon greenhouses” used for growing cucumbers and tomatoes in Norfolk and Suffolk with an SK25T air compressor and an AIRCENTER 13.
The ground-breaking sustainable greenhouses in Norfolk are some of the country’s largest and are warmed by residual heat from nearby water recycling centres. They required reliable air compressor solutions to provide compressed air to the two product packaging facilities onsite.
The air compressor units are supported by a dependable service team from HPC to ensure the operation continues to run efficiently 24 hours a day.
The story behind the “low-carbon farming revolution”
At a time when businesses need to become more environmentally conscious, the two “world-first”, wastewater-heated greenhouses are described by Low Carbon Farming, the company behind them, as a “bankable template” for another 41 sites across the country. The company claims a nationwide roll-out could create more than 8,000 new jobs and invest £2.67bn into regional economies. It could also lead the nation to become self-sufficient in tomatoes and cucumbers, removing the food miles associated with importing such produce.
How do the sustainable greenhouses work?
Covering more than 13 hectares and standing around 7m tall, the large glass structures allow crops to grow vertically along guidewires, and do not require any soil, instead being grown hydroponically from nutrient rich water solutions. Once in full production, they will be capable of growing more than 20 tonnes of tomatoes every day – 12 per cent of the tomatoes grown in the UK.
Closed loop heat pumps are used to transfer the heat from the water recycling centres to the greenhouses, and have the additional benefit of cooling the facility’s treated water outflow before it is returned to the environment.
Energy efficient features of the HPC KAESER SK25T AIRCENTER 13 Model
The SK25T rotary screw air compressor from HPC offers multiple benefits to the large greenhouse operation. One of the key reasons for choosing the HPC KAESER SK series of air compressors, is the energy-saving performance it delivers while delivering a working pressure of 7.5bar and flow rate of 88. 3cfm.
With energy accounting for the majority of a compressor’s lifetime operating costs, features such as the energy-saving Sigma Profile airend rotors, and the use of premium efficiency IE3 motors significantly contribute to the compressors’ performance, and the SIGMA CONTROL 2 internal controller and KAESER’s unique cooling system help to enhance efficiency.
The innovative cooling system featured on the HPC KAESER SK air compressors uses a high efficiency dual flow fan and separate air flow channels to cool the motor, the fluid/compressed air cooler and the control cabinet. This optimises cooling performance, low compressed air discharge temperatures and minimal sound levels, and promotes efficient air compression.
HPC KAESER is committed to minimising energy costs for compressed air production for every client.
Reliable service support and easy maintenance from HPC KAESER
The HPC KAESER SK25T AIRCENTER 13 Model features a service-friendly design, with excellent component access. The housing cover is easily removed, allowing excellent accessibility to all service points, and inspection glasses allow convenient inspection of the fluid levels and the drive belt tension, even while the unit is in operation. Along with the responsive service support from HPC engineers, any downtime for the 24/7 greenhouse operation is kept to a minimum.
Speak to an HPC KAESER specialist to find an air compression system that meets the needs of your operation, today. Contact us 24/7 365 days a year on 0845 4300 472 or visit https://www.hpccompressors.co.uk/distributor-network/.