Cooling technologies and the materials used in critical system components have evolved over time, opening the door to smarter, safer and far more energy-efficient ways to cool glass. Cooling, or quenching, in tempering lines consumes a significant portion of this energy, so manufacturers must consider all possibilities to reduce cooling energy requirements.
Traditional impellers in tempering line blowers are made of welded steel. They are not designed for the demands of modern quenching, which require high capacity combined with optimised energy consumption.
First, welded joints weaken under the strain of repeated rapid acceleration and deceleration cycles, eventually leading to fatigue failures where the metal cracks and breaks over time.
Second, because steel impellers are very heavy, they cannot change speed quickly and must continue running at high speeds even during idle periods. Idling steel impellers consume significant energy – electricity that is essentially wasted. This is a critical issue.
How carbon fibre makes a difference
A solution that reduces idle energy use and adapts more efficiently to production needs is actually available: the carbon fibre impeller.
By lowering idling speed during waiting periods, the carbon fibre impeller can reduce energy use by up to 20 percent per cycle in thin-glass production. Even in mixed production of different glass thicknesses, the energy savings are significant. Over the course of a year, these efficiency gains can translate into thousands of euros in reduced electricity costs, ensuring a fast return on investment.
Greater safety and durability
A carbon fibre impeller is also much safer than a steel impeller. Its lighter weight lowers stress on the system and reduces the risk of blower failure, making the entire line safer and more reliable.
What’s more, the life cycle of a carbon fibre impeller is many times longer than that of a steel impeller. Its lightweight structure allows it to withstand rapid and repeated speed changes without fatigue, significantly reducing maintenance needs and downtime.
For new and existing lines
Glaston’s existing machine blowers carbon fibre impeller can be integrated into new tempering line blowers or retrofitted to existing machine blowers to upgrade them.
It’s a simple way to boost energy efficiency and improve safety in existing lines without having to replace the entire blower. The investment quickly delivers returns as energy prices continue to climb.
Glaston has been successfully supplying blowers with this technology for several years already. Glaston’s delivery includes all necessary components, installation and commissioning, including careful impeller balancing and blower control parameter optimisation on site.