Preserving the planet as a habitable place for the future generations is the greatest challenge mankind is facing. Therefore, winning the battle against climate change and the transition to a circular economy are the keys to achieving a sustainable future for planet earth.
NEUMAN & ESSER’S solution portfolio contributing to the transition to a greenhouse gas neutral economy. These include, among others, compressor solutions for biomethane and the entire H2 value chain, like H2 caverns and pipelines, synfuels, hydrogen refueling stations and trailer filling, process solutions for battery production and recycling, sealing solutions for PTFE recycling, digital solutions like X|Mobile as well as energy solutions like electrolyzers and fuel cells.
A sustainable product as part of a sustainable solution is characterized by longevity, efficiency, recyclability and a low waste and emission footprint in production, during operation, and even including the scrapping after end of the useful period.
Looking at longevity it becomes obvious that the compressors from our portfolio are designed for a minimum lifetime of 20 years. In practice, this long design lifespan is often significantly exceeded, with more than 750 machines running for more than 50 years, 20 of them older than 75 years. We also have a broad portfolio of so-called legacies, licenses and drawings which were acquired from discontinued businesses. Here we act as the new OEM and help to keep these machines running by tailor-made spare part supply. On top of the long-life design, we also offer revamp and modernization services. Here machines can be adapted to changes in process conditions or upgraded with modern parts for higher efficiencies. Through these measures the compressors and the adjacent plant items get an additional new lifespan.
When talking about the efficiency of our compressors, two main aspects come to the fore, their extraordinary high isothermal efficiency, and their excellent controllability. Piston and diaphragm compressors are extremely efficient machines, with a mechanical efficiency of up to 99%. Due to low internal and external leakages the isothermal efficiency of NEUMAN & ESSER designs is in the 75-85% range, unmatched, especially for “thin” gases like hydrogen. Here our STASSKOL team can bring its expertise for gas seals such as piston rings and piston rod seals into play. Variable speed drives, (adjustable) clearance pockets and (stepless) valve unloading combined with the agile load behavior of a piston compressor offer extremely efficient ways of capacity control. This becomes even more important with the increasing demand of handling volatile volume flows, e.g., from renewable energy. These two efficiency factors guarantee an as low as possible emission footprint during operation.
For the waste and greenhouse gas footprint reduction during production and the following recycling at the end of the long useful period, the following measures are already in place:
Supply chain optimization by preferring raw materials from certified low carbon emission sources. Here we already have a “green” foundry in our supply chain, which offers cast materials made only by using renewable energy. Currently the reduction of scope 3 emissions is part of the sourcing strategy. Furthermore, we try to minimize transportation emissions by sourcing plant components locally if possible.
In the production process, we maintain a high production depth to further optimize production efficiency. Sustainability champions are nominated in the production process, their task lies in the optimization of production flow with a special focus on reducing waste and increasing efficiency. This is assisted by digitalization measures, from production planning over CAD/CAM up to 3D-measuring tools which prevent the unnecessary machining of non-suitable raw parts. Especially in the production department a high number of employees which already started as apprentices at NEUMAN & ESSER ensures that the necessary knowhow and expertise is maintained.
During the operation period of the compressor system the usage of NEA|XPLORE condition monitoring solutions can optimize the sourcing and production of spare parts to demand. When this period comes to an end, the compressors, and the compressor system components, which are mainly made from iron and steel, offer an excellent recycling potential, of which a big part is already put into good use nowadays.
When summing up these factors it is no wonder that a company which is successfully active on the markets since 1830 has all these abovementioned sustainability success factors deeply engrained in its DNA. Our mission is to deliver customer-focused solutions for a sustainable family business. This is where we are putting our expertise in for many generations to come.