Atlas Copco lauches battery driven portable screw air compressor

Atlas Copco has developed the first of its kind battery driven portable screw air compressor. 

The B-Air 185-12 represents a major milestone in Atlas Copco’s roadmap towards a sustainable future. The battery-powered air compressor delivers 5 to 12 bar of pressure, a stable flow rate of 5.4 to 3.7 cubic metres per minute and a 55-kWh battery storage capacity.The B-Air 185-12 is scheduled to go into production in September.

“We are committed to accelerating the transition away from carbon-dependency and towards renewable energy sources,” said Maarten Vermeiren, product marketing manager of sustainability and digitalization at Atlas Copco, portable air division. “By introducing the first battery portable screw compressor, we want to play our part in enabling a sustainable transformation and help build a better tomorrow – for society and the planet alike.” 

With power delivered from its onboard power pack, in operation a fully charged unit is independent of the need for fuel or a local power source to plug into and has the capability to perform for up to a full typical work shift. In turn, it provides portability for those working on sites where regular access to electricity is not practical.

The electric B-Air 185-12 only needs to be serviced every 2,000 hours.The machine’s Variable Speed Drive (VSD) and permanent magnet motor drives down the total cost of ownership, automatically adjusting the motor speed to match air demand in real-time.

Through Atlas Copco’s testing process, which includes rapid aging testing under harsh conditions and climactic chamber testing, the B-Air 185-12 has been proven to perform in extreme climatic conditions – ranging from +45°C (+113°F) to a glacial -25°C (-13°F); and 4,500 m (14,764 ft.) above sea level. The unit is also designed to operate in densely populated urban areas where emission and noise pollution are restricted, due to no local emissions and having low noise levels. 

“Atlas Copco is proud to be committed to our industry’s fight against climate change by developing the first battery-driven screw compressor. The B-Air 185-12 is a tangible symbol of our commitment to delivering real-world solutions to help our customers and their customers adopt a more sustainable way of working, and to turning the tide on climate change.

We ultimately want to offer a sustainable alternative to every user and every application, and this new battery powered unit is a leap closer to that goal,” said Bert Derom, president of Atlas Copco, portable air division.