Glass is one of the most widely used natural products in the world due to its strength and transparent quality, making it unique among architectural and packaging materials. Glass is also one of the most environmentally friendly of all mass-manufactured products since it’s 100% recyclable and refillable. Glass is among the safest of products for storing consumable goods since it doesn’t contain hormone disruptors or carcinogens.
Compressed air plays a key role in the glass industry and for this reason, air compressors are widely used by glass manufacturers worldwide.
1. What are the applications of air compressors for the glass industry?
*Compressed Air in Glass Manufacturing
As we mentioned before, air compressors are used by glass manufacturers worldwide. The air compressor is essential for forming bottles, glassware, and blowing tubes for lighting and electronics, etc. Generally, compressed air in glass manufacturing is used for powering pneumatic tools, conveying material, and generating electricity.
More specifically, the air compressor for the glass industry is used for the following applications:
Pneumatic transport of raw material
Combustion air for furnaces
Cooling air
Instrument air
Plant air
Autoclaves
*Compressed Air in Bottle Production
Bottle production is an important sector in the glass industry. For the bottle production, the air compressors for the glass industry are used in the following applications:
Collection of raw materials-The glass bottles is made from a mix of various raw materials, mainly sand, limestone, and soda ash. The compressed air is required for the air-powered machinery to move the raw materials from silos to furnaces
Melting and mixing-Once the raw materials are fed into the furnace, the compressed air systems in the glass industry are required to heat the glass ingredients.
Forming into shape—Another key role of the compressed air systems in the glass industry is shape forming: inside the forming machines, the compressed air turns gobs into the shape of bottles.
*Compressed Air in Sheet Glass Manufacturing
The sheet glass manufacturing is similar to the glass container manufacturing: the processes during the hot stage are much the same; however, after the melting and shape forming processes, the air compressors for the glass industry are needed to flatten the cooled product and cut it into specified dimensions.
The remarkable stage of the sheet glass manufacturing is the transformation of the molten mix into the clear, perfectly flattened product: generally speaking, this process refers to the mix floating on the river of melted tin blocks and throughout this process, the compressed air is needed for the air-powered conveyor system to move the glass along.
2. How to select the right air compressor for the glass industry?
Like with many other applications, the key to selecting the right air compressor for the glass industry is that the air compressor for the glass industry keep the operations running consistently, smoothly and reliably.
Based on the conditions and characteristics of the glass industry, the air compressor for the glass industry should have the following features:
Suitability for harsh environments-As the glass manufacturing involves high temperatures for extended periods, the suitable air compressors for the glass industry should be able to handle these conditions while continuing to operate efficiently and effectively.
Low maintenance-As the glass manufacturing is basically carried out at a high temperature, any repair, and maintenance work on the air compressors for the glass industry can be dangerous. For this reason, the air compressor with a simpler structure with less maintenance is more appropriate.
Adequate capacity–As of compressed air in glass manufacturing plays a key role in the production, the right compressor should provide the necessary PSI to keep procedures moving at the required pace.
Business volume—Like other commodity manufacturing, the glass industry is around-the-clock operation (or close to it). For this reason, the compressed air systems in the glass industry should render operational continuity.
3. Why choose Sollant Variable Speed Air Compressor?
Air compressors are used by glass manufacturers worldwide. Amon so many air compressors for the glass industry, why choose Sollant Variable Speed Air Compressor?
The advantages of our Variable Speed Rotary Screw Air Compressor are the following:
Low maintenance—The manufacturing processes of the glass industry usually run at extremely high temperatures, which makes the maintenance work more dangerous. Our Variable Speed Air Compressor applies rotary screws to compress the air. Compared with other types of air compressors, this structure is relatively simple and requires less maintenance.
Intelligent control system—Our Variable Speed Air Compressor is designed with an intelligent control system, which simplifies the controlling in the harsh environments.
Suitable for harsh environments —Our Variable Speed Rotary Screw Air Compressor is featured by Insulation grade F and protective grade IP55, which means that this kind of air compressor is suitable for the harsh environment.
High-Efficiency performance—The Sollant Variable Speed Air Compressor is designed with the latest generation of permanent magnet motor (PM motor) that is 3-5% more efficient than the regular motor.
Energy Saving—For around-the-clock operations such as glass manufacturing, energy saving is essential. Our Variable Speed Air Compressor is characterized by variable frequency, which helps to save more energy than the fixed speed air compressor does.
For more information about Sollant Variable Speed Rotary Speed Air Compressor, please click: Sollant Variable Speed air compressor
