Atlas Copco air compressors have been used in conjunction with the company’s AIRnet air piping system to create a flexible supply of clean air at Saint-Gobain Ceramic Materials in Mudanjiang, China.

The modular nature of the piping system means that the air supply can quickly be reconfigured when needed, with components able to be removed and reinstalled as and when they are needed.

Using oil-free screw compressors from the ZT Series of Atlas Copco air compressors also ensures the supplied air is very clean, so that it meets operating standards for oil content within the compressed air.

Liu Guanzhan, from Saint-Gobain’s purchasing department, says: “We selected Atlas Copco from two world-class air compressor suppliers.

“Our choice was based on multiple factors, including product quality, market share etc, in combination with reputation in the industry.”

The requirements placed on the site’s manufacturing processes arise from the fact that it produces silicon carbide from raw materials that are largely in powdered form.

As such, moisture levels – including oil droplets suspended in the compressed air supply – must be closely controlled, which the ZT Series’ oil-free design achieves, while also minimising energy consumption thanks to its two-stage compression system.