Mattei moves into gas compressor market
Mattei has launched a new range of gas compressors for the UK market, suitable for a variety of applications from pumping gas and landfill gas compression to micro power generation.
Already a market leader in energy efficient rotary vane air compressors, Mattei has modified the air end of its proven compression technology to create an innovative new gas compressor that can be used to compress a variety of gases, including natural gas (methane) and bio gas.
Each compressor features a sealed intake designed to accept gas from a pipeline source, and stainless steel components have replaced those made from copper and brass to prevent internal corrosion due to the chemical make-up of the gas. In addition, external pressure adjustment has been added to allow pressure selection without disconnecting pipework.
To ensure efficient operation, the new compressors also feature a specialist lubricant, which has been developed through extensive trials to be able to withstand the chemical make-up of a range of gases.
Additional probes have been included in the new design to monitor the temperature of the end cover bushes and compressed gas, and a vacuum sensor in the intake will stop the compressor should there be a restriction in the gas. Bleed points are strategically placed to facilitate purging of the air with gas on start up. This ensures the compressor is full of gas and avoids the potential of an explosive mixture of gas and air being inside the compressor.
The comprehensive gas compressor range starts at 4kW and goes up to 55kW, with pressures from 6 bar to 13 bar. The products have been designed to fit any IEC or Nema flange XN spark free electric motor, hydraulic motor or PTO drive system.
Mattei’s 55kW compressors are particularly suitable for use on landfill sites, compressing methane gas. Mattei has already successfully sold many of these compressors as part of fully enclosed gas compressor packages. With the addition of pre-treatment apparatus to clean and dry the gas prior to compression, Mattei’s compressors can be used to compress landfill gas sufficiently to fuel small jet engines driving 200kVA micro generators. The generated power can then be sold back to National Grid, effectively providing electricity from a free energy source.
Similarly, Mattei’s smaller gas compressors can be used by power generation companies for load lopping (using compressed mains gas to fuel large gas engines that drive electrical generators to top up the grid in times of peak demand or power outages). The small versatile Mattei gas compressors are also used to supply gas to localised micro generators, used in buildings with a constant demand for electricity such as office blocks and leisure centres.
Andy Jones, managing director for Mattei, said: “Mattei has been making compressors for nearly 100 years, and we have used this experience to adapt our compression technology for gas applications. There are significant opportunities for us to grow our market share in these niche sectors, in many and varied applications. Using our tried and tested compressor technology as a base, and incorporating our OEM expertise, we have the range and technical know-how to cover most requests.”