ATLAS Copco’s DrillAir range of air compressors is designed to provide maximum air flow at any pressure setting, offering innovative and sustainable solutions for various drilling applications. These include ground engineering, drill and blast, water well, geothermal, and foundation drilling.
Jonathan Cassell, APE sales engineer at Atlas Copco Power Technique, emphasizes the company’s deep understanding of the challenges faced in the drilling industry. “Hole deviation, pipe failure, borehole instability, and other issues can lead to costly breakdowns, reduced productivity, and expensive repairs,” he explains. These challenges disrupt machine performance, making it crucial for drill operators to select the right equipment to optimize operations.
Cassell notes that drill operators typically maintain their rigs and compressors until they acquire new units for a new contract or when the current machines reach the end of their life. “Extended machine lifecycle and low operational and ownership costs are vital for these operators,” he says. This drive for sustainability and profitability leads Atlas Copco to create products that offer superior reliability, efficiency, and service excellence, ensuring that operators can meet their contractual obligations and maintain business sustainability.
In drilling, the right equipment choice is essential due to varying hole depths and hammer sizes. “One size never fits all,” Cassell stresses. The DrillAir range allows operators to select the optimal compressor for their needs, with the flexibility to adapt to changes in well depth and hammer size.
A key feature of DrillAir compressors is their scientific engineering, which balances pressure and flow to tailor the machines to specific applications. By fine-tuning these parameters, DrillAir compressors provide enhanced time and fuel efficiency, enabling operators to optimize performance across different drilling conditions.
DrillAir compressors are equipped with technologies that improve drilling speed while minimizing fuel consumption. “With our integrated technologies, customers can achieve faster drilling speeds while optimizing fuel use,” Cassell asserts. The Dynamic Flow Boost feature adds up to 4 m³/min of additional flow, speeding up flushing and drill stem refilling, ultimately reducing drilling time.
The PACE™ (Pressure Adjusted through Cognitive Electronics) system, another advanced feature of DrillAir, allows customers to adjust pressure and flow settings to match specific application needs. This intuitive software enables operators to preset different flow and pressure levels based on the bulk density of materials being transferred, offering significant optimization for various drilling demands.