Month: September 2022

Piston Vs. Rotary Screw Air Compressors: Which One to Choose?

by vemcoblogs -

Air compressors have diverse applications for a wide range of businesses. Two of the most popular and widely used compressors are piston and rotary screw compressors.

Piston, also known as reciprocating compressors, find maximum use in the automotive service industry such as gas stations, tire stores, and general service shops, due to their price and availability. However, rotary screw compressors can be a suitable alternative as they offer better performance and require less space.

In this blog, we will understand the various points of difference between the two to help you choose the right one for your business.

Duty Cycle and Flow

Duty cycle is the time (calculated in percentage) a compressor can operate for, without getting overheated or causing wear. The allowable duty cycle for most piston compressors is 60-70%. Most piston compressors are oversized to allow space for the compressor to shut down and cool off due to the high temperatures. This may cause capacity problems during peak operating hours.

Modern rotary screw compressors, on the other hand, have in-built aftercoolers with huge surface area and robust fans to bring down the air temperature leaving the compressor.

Oil Carry-over

When pistons, cylinders, valves, and rings experience wear and tear, the quantity of air goes down. This causes more lubricating oil to seep through the piping into the usable parts. This is known as carry-over.

Piston compressors usually pass more oil than rotary screw compressors. Rotary screw compressors experience lesser oil seepage in comparison because the rotors don’t come in contact with each other and hence, don’t wear. Moreover, the compressor fluid also acts as non-wearing sealant that’s captured, filtered, cooled, and recirculated.

Energy Efficiency

For service industries that use compressors as large as 30 hp, energy efficiency becomes an essential factor to save electricity costs.

Piston compressors usually deliver 3-4 cfm per hp whereas rotary compressors deliver 4-5 cfm per hp. This shows that rotary compressors deliver more air per unit of input energy.

Maintenance

The maintenance of piston compressors is more expensive than screw compressors because the frequency of maintenance and the number of spares is significantly higher for piston compressors. However, the advantage is that any semi-skilled technician or worker will be able to perform the maintenance service.

Noise Levels and Vibration

Traditional piston compressors produce a lot of noise and vibration. As a result, they are mostly placed in separate rooms or outside. However, the immediate ecosystem directly affects a compressor. For example, a hot and humid room will increase the compressor temperature, reduce its shelf life and make it difficult to remove moisture and oil from compressed air.

Rotary compressors cause lesser noise and vibration. They also don’t need to be kept in separate rooms or sealed to the floor, offering more flexibility with their location i.e., well-ventilated areas.

For assistance with deciding on the air compressor that suits your needs the best, please contact us on +919819907445. We would be delighted to help you find the best product or service based on your exact requirements. As one of the leading ELGi air compressor dealers, VEMC provides a comprehensive array of seamless products and services to its clients. A pioneer in electromechanical engineering products, allied equipment, and services in the field, we are also ISO 9001:2015 certified.

How significant is it to evaluate the right financial model for solar power system?

by vemcoblogs -

Making the shift to solar power can be beneficial for your business, especially, cost-saving in the long run. However, before you can go green, there are a lot of technicalities to take care of.

When you’re considering shifting to solar power, you’ll find two models in the market: the capital expenditure (CAPEX) model and the operating expenditure (OPEX) model.

In this blog, we will be discussing the two models in detail to help you reach an informed decision.

The CAPEX Model

In this type of financial model, the client approaches VEMC to install a solar pump system on the premises owned by the client. After the commission of the system, the ownership gets transferred to the client and VEMC’s scope ends. Hence, in this type of model, the client pays for the installation of the plant, and the ownership too rests with the client.

Some of the advantages of this model are:

  • The client gets to have complete ownership of the plant and its operation
  • Based on the capacity of the solar plant, the client can save sizeable margins on electricity
  • The client can earn several subsidies and taxes from government bodies, for example, the central finance assistantship (CFA)
  • The client can be partially immune to rising utility electricity prices
  • Industrial and commercial clients can get accelerated depreciation benefits as well

The OPEX Model

In the OPEX model, the investor invests in the project and the client only pays for the power he consumes. The amount of consumption is agreed upon in a contract known as the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).

What is PPA financing?

The Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) covers the contractual terms of the solar plant and the individual roles of the parties involved. There are usually three parties involved in such a contract – the investor, the installer, and the end client. VEMC is usually the installer for most of the clients. The investor invests in the solar plant and the client buys all or part of the power they want to consume at a rate that can be fixed or changed with time. VEMC installs the plant as per the investor and client’s approval and takes ownership of the plant’s annual maintenance. The client can terminate the agreement after payment of a certain amount or buy the plant directly from the investor.

Choosing the right financial model for your solar investment will depend on your budget and purpose. If you have the resources to take all the responsibility for the installation and maintenance of the plant, CAPEX will be a good choice. But if you don’t have dedicated personnel to look after the systems, OPEX can be a good option for you.

VEMC is a well-established solar EPC company in Mumbai and a pioneer in the field of electromechanical engineering products, allied equipment, and services. VEMCO Solar is a market leader in solar solutions — be it solar panel installation, procurement, commissioning, net metering, or electrical connections. If you are looking for solar panel installation in Mumbai or solar O&M, please reach out to us at +91 98199 07445, and we will be happy to provide you with customized support and services.

Buying a Swimming Pool Pump? Here’s what you need to know.

by vemcoblogs -

A swimming pool pump passes the pool water through the pool filter and sometimes, a pool heater. A pump is effective when it passes the water through the filter once every 12 hours, also known as a turnover. The effectiveness is measured through the size of the pool and the turnover rate. It’s calculated by the gallons per minute (GPM) of water it passes.

What is a swimming pool pump?

It’s a common part of swimming pools that allows you to pump water through a filter, circulate it, and keep it clean. It’s an important component that ensures the pool water is cool and safe to bathe in.

Do I need a swimming pool pump?

Traditionally, pools were cleaned manually with skewers. While this helps remove large particles such as leaves, it’s not as effective for cleaning fine debris such as dust, sand, or dirt.

A swimming pool pump is ideal for cleaning the debris at the bottom of the pump to render the pool water dirt-free and ideal to swim in.

What are the key parts of a swimming pool pump?

A basic swimming pool pump has five different components. They are:

  • Water inlet – This allows the pool water to enter the pump. The diameter of the inlet directly impacts the flow rate of the pump.
  • Water outlet – The water exits the pump from this area. Again, the diameter of the outlet dictates the flow rate of the pump.
  • Filter – This is an important component since it captures the debris before the water re-enters the pool. They are also known as sand filters or strainer baskets and are built from high-quality, erosion-resistant plastic.
  • Impeller – This spinning component propels the water out of the pump. It sucks the water into the impeller face and expels the water through the side.
  • Motor – The motor is the force that runs the impeller, draws water into the pump and again out of it.

How does a swimming pool pump work?

At the heart of a good swimming pool is an effective pump. It circulates the water, disperses the treatment chemicals, and prevents the water from stagnating. It achieves this by pulling the water through an inlet, passing it through the filter, and then pumping it back out into the pool.

Why choose Kirloskar KPP swimming pool pump?

This is a high-performing pump that works silently.

It can be used for water circulation and filtration in various systems such as:

  • Hot springs
  • Swimming pools including suction sweeping
  • Spas
  • Water treatment systems
  • Landscape fountains
  • Light industries

Some of the features are:

  • Built-in thermal overload protection
  • Pre-filter basket
  • Quiet operation
  • Self-priming
  • Lightweight and compact design
  • Mechanical seal
  • Dynamically balanced rotating parts

For more information on swimming pool pumps, motors, and other equipment, feel free to contact us at +91 98199 07445. We would be glad to assist you in finding the best match for you based on your requirements. VEMC is an Kirloskar authorised dealer of pool pumps and provides end-to-end project management services to its clients. We are ISO 9001:2015 certified and a pioneer in the field of electromechanical engineering products, allied equipment, and services. For inquiries, contact us at marketing@vemc.co.in.

Bird droppings and nesting on solar panels causes loss of efficiency by 2%. Ways to avoid it.

by vemcoblogs -

Solar panels are an effective and environment-friendly choice for your commercial spaces, to cut down on harmful pollution. It not only helps the planet, but also enables energy efficiency in a sustainable way. However, since the panels are located outdoors, they may attract various outside elements such as birds. Many people are unsure about whether solar panels hurt birds or vice versa.

In this blog, we discuss in detail about the relation between birds and solar panels.

Solar panels and birds

It’s common knowledge that birds may find a good nesting ground in your solar panels and may soil your gutters and panels. What should you do about it? And how should you save the birds as well as your solar panels? Let’s learn more.

Do solar panels benefit birds?

This may come as a surprise but solar panels benefit birds. Currently, some of the primary sources of electricity are oil, coal, and natural gas. They cause carbon pollution in the air and form a layer in the atmosphere that traps heat. Apart from various issues around global warming, it also leads to birds having to find alternate homes. Hence, solar panels are beneficial to birds as they provide them and their young ones with warmth and shelter.

Do solar panels attract birds?

Yes, just like windows, solar panels have reflective surfaces, and such surfaces usually attract birds.

Do solar panels kill birds?

Solar panels don’t kill birds directly. The reflective surfaces of solar panels often resemble water when birds are flying above. The appearance of moving water makes them dive, which eventually hurts them and sometimes, kills them.

Do birds harm solar panels?

Solar panels usually have space between the panels and the roof that allow wiring and ventilation. The shade in these spaces is ideal for birds to take shelter.

Birds usually build nests here as well as leave droppings, broken eggs, etc., under the space available. When these accumulate, they reduce the airflow needed to prevent solar panels from overheating. They can also flow into the gutter, leading to blockages and foul odour. It can also collect on top or under the panels and it’s best to get them cleaned as soon as possible.

Damages from small critters

Critters such as squirrels also enjoy nesting under solar panels and may cause harm by chewing on exposed wires. This could lead to solar panels running inefficiently.

Another serious concern is that nesting materials such as leaves, debris, and chewed wires may also lead to fire hazards.

How to protect your solar panels from birds?

There are several options to look at:

  • Wire Mesh – Building a wire mesh along the edges of the solar panel can help stop birds from nesting under the system. This can also prevent the accumulation of debris.
  • Roof Spikes – They don’t necessarily hurt birds but make it difficult for them to nest.
  • Plastic Predators – Decoys are a great way to ward off birds since they can’t differentiate between artificial and real birds. Like scarecrows, an owl with a swivel head can be very effective in scaring birds away.

Importance of Solar O&M

These various factors can affect the output of your solar panels. Proper operation and maintenance can enhance the lifespan of these systems. The frequency and degree of maintenance of solar systems depend on the installation type, system configuration and location of the setup. You can choose from various types of services such as performance monitoring, preventive maintenance, and corrective maintenance.

VEMC, one of the top solar companies in Mumbai, provides solar panel installation in Mumbai. VEMC provides solar O&M services as well. For more information on our products and help selecting the right ones for you, contact us at +91 98199 07445. With over 72 years of industry experience, VEMC is ISO 9001:2015 certified and a pioneer in the field of electromechanical engineering products, allied equipment, and services.

A Short Guide to Moisture Control in Air Compressor Systems

by vemcoblogs -

It’s not uncommon for moisture and condensation to accumulate in your compressed air systems. Hence, you need a solution that can help prevent excess condensation in your compressor, especially if you’re in an industry that demands 100% moisture-free condensed air.

Why does your air compressor contain moisture?

Moisture is a natural by-product of the compression process. It just extracts the moisture that already exists in the ambient air.

Some of the common causes of moisture build-up in compressors are:

  • Equipment damage – When the internal parts of compressors wear out, it leads to moisture build-up. This causes the machine to lose its power to extract air as well as heat up, leading to more moisture build-up.
  • Environmental factors – Humid conditions also cause the machine to take in more moisture leading to more condensation.
  • Pressure on the compressor – When your compressor is strained beyond capacity, it gets heated up further more. This is especially the case with piston compressors, which heat up more when used for longer periods of time.

Why is excess moisture harmful?

Excess moisture hampers the workings of your air compressor. Some of the consequences of excess moisture are:

  • Rust and corrosion – Build-up of water in your compressors can lead to rust in and corrosion of the machine and pipes.
  • Damage to pneumatic controls – The machines that rely on pneumatic controls suffer from severe damage when there is moisture build-up inside them. That can result in rust and scale build-up.
  • Rapid wear and tear of production equipment – Moisture can cause the lubrication inside compressors to wash away. This causes metal components to wear away faster.
  • Damaged circuits and in-line filters – In-line filters help clean particles and oil from your compressor. Moisture increases pressure in the machine and reduces the filter’s efficiency.
  • Contamination – Moisture can damage end products, valves, and motors. It can easily contaminate solvents, lubricants, and food products.

How to eliminate excess moisture from your compressor?

Some of the solutions you can try out to remove moisture build-up from your compressors are:

  • Install an air dryer – An air dryer works in tandem with an air compressor to remove moisture. There are four common types of air dryers: refrigerated dryers, desiccant dryers, membrane dryers, and deliquescent dryers.
  • Get a piping system – Piping systems are one of the most cost-efficient systems. In these setups, the metal pipes absorb heat to bring down the air temperature, and can be a good solution for office buildings.

VEMC is ISO 9001:2015 certified and a pioneer in the field of electromechanical engineering products, allied equipment, and services. With more than 72 years of industry experience, we provide best-in-class solutions and customized support in this field. We also provide a number of ELGi air compressors. Contact us at +919819907445 and we would be happy to help you determine the right air compressor for your needs.

A GenNext Technology In The Pump Industry – KirloSmart

by vemcoblogs -

Kirloskar Brothers (KBL) is one of the leading pump manufacturing companies in India. Based out of Pune, they have years of experience in engineering and fluid management systems. They have recently launched an advanced version of its signature Internet of Things (IoT)-based pump monitoring system – KirloSmart.

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KBL was the first company to launch this innovative solution in 2016 in India after testing it inhouse, at the Kirloskarvadi factory in 2010. With this launch, KBL lives up to its expectation of engineering excellence and inventing technology to improve customer satisfaction.

What is KirloSmart?

KirloSmart is an IoT product with a specialized capability of remotely monitoring pumps through Kirloskar Brother’s web portal, triggering alerts when the pumps are not showing problems.

KirloSmart merges hardware and software technology to enable the user to remotely monitor and troubleshoot pumps on a real-time basis with zero manual intervention. It helps predict and come up with corrective measures to prevent unnecessary breakdowns and ensure that the pump is healthy enough to offer optimum performance. This works by transmitting the analytical field parameters of the pump on the KBL web-based portal and interactive mobile app. These cloud services are completely SOC (System and Organization Controls) compliant.

Unique features of KirloSmart

Some of the advantages of the KirloSmart system are:

  1. Predictive maintenance alerts with probable causes through email and SMS
  2. 24×7 real-time monitoring, historical data and trend monitoring, and graphical indications
  3. Remote diagnosis of the issues at the earliest stages
  4. Pump spares management such as estimation of service life
  5. Backup storage in case of communication failure
  6. User configurable sensors
  7. Communication mode selection such as mobile data, GPRS, and ethernet
  8. Cost-effective, simple plug and play
  9. Facilitates easy integration with existing integrations

Benefits of KirloSmart

The benefits of using KirloSmart for your commercial space are:

  • Boosts profitability by reducing operational costs, repair costs, and labour costs
  • Reduces chances of unplanned breakdowns and improves plant safety and reliability
  • Boosts lifespan of equipment and reduces down time
  • Eliminates costs of assets such as servers, modems, and computers
  • Boosts equipment productivity and efficiency

IoT based pump monitoring solution

With the help of IoT technology, KirloSmart generates alerts for the possible causes of pump failures through built-in analytics and spare management modules. This helps pump owners monitor pump health and measure the critical health parameters of the pump. It also helps them in prompt diagnosis and resolution of issues. The system can also send alerts and notifications through SMS, email, and push notifications.

VEMC supplies KirloSmart to IIT Powai

IIT Powai wanted to monitor the performance of their pumpset installed for freshwater application. For this, VEMC was to employ a person daily.

However, by introducing KirloSmart, VEMC was able to monitor the performance of the pumpset without any human intervention.

The benefits achieved as a result were long-term and involved reduction in manpower requirement and replacement with IoT-based machine.

For further information on IoT and smart pumps, motors, and other equipment, feel free to contact us at +919819907445. KBL is a pioneer in remote pump monitoring technology and we would be happy to assist you in finding the best match based on your requirements. VEMC is an authorized KirloSmart dealer. It is ISO 9001:2015 certified and a pioneer in the field of electromechanical engineering products, allied equipment, and services.

6 Air Compressor Maintenance Tips to Avoid Breakdown

by vemcoblogs -

Air compressors of all makes and models require varying degrees of maintenance. Whatever the model or quantity of compressors you use for your operations, it’s essential to regularly inspect the parts and service them, whenever necessary. Failure to perform routine maintenance on your compressors can lead to early failure or expensive repairs.

Air Compressor Supplier Johor Bahru (JB), Rotary Screw Compressor Supply Malaysia, Air Receiver Tank Suppplies ~ JCompressor Services Sdn Bhd

Here’s a short guide on how to keep your air compressors running at full capacity:

1. Drain your air receiver tank

Use the drain and plug at the bottom of the compressor to drain the air from the compressor’s air receiver tank. Collection of air in the machine leads to the accumulation of water and moisture while the machine is running, especially during summer, when humidity is higher. The moisture gets collected in the receiver tank and if not drained regularly, it can lead to corrosion of the receiver tank and piping. An automatic and a manual bypass drain during daily inspections is ideal.

2. Inspect the hoses

Hoses are often the most vulnerable parts of compressors because they need to be strong enough to transfer air between the machine and the final point, which can put a lot of strain on them. Checking your hoses on a weekly basis is extremely important. Cold weather also affects hoses — it causes them to crack or corrode and hence leak. Routine checks are ideal for keeping the hoses clean and leak detection devices are ideal to find the leaks.

3. Alter the air filter

Air filters usually trap a lot of junk. The filters are designed to bear a heavy load, without which, a lot of impurities will accumulate and degrade the performance of the compressor. This contamination is critical for industries such as food and beverage, hospitals, and labs. Air filter inspections should be done regularly, especially in dusty conditions.

4. Clean the intake valves

The intake valves of an air compressor must be clean to function fully. When compressors are put to constant use, dust particles and other elements get sucked into the vents. Cleaning the vents at least once every three months is essential.

5. Change the oil

The compressors that run on oil need the oil to be changed regularly as well. Fresh oil helps run the various parts of the engine smoothly. Especially in humid conditions, the oil loses its viscosity and fails to lubricate the different parts.

6. Get it inspected by a professional service team

Allowing a professional service team to regularly check leaks and perform preventive maintenance and required repairs, can offer a lot of peace of mind. Scheduling this regular maintenance can help save time and money in unnecessary breakdown repairs.

Keeping your air compressors healthy and functioning smoothly is essential and possible through regular maintenance. VEMC is an authorized ELGi air compressor dealer and provides end-to-end solutions for all your industrial energy requirements. Guided by more than 72 years of industry expertise, we aim to offer you specialized support in this space. VEMC is ISO 9001:2015 certified and a pioneer in the field of electromechanical engineering products, allied equipment, and services. Please feel free to contact us at +91 98199 07445, and we will be happy to assist you.