The HST product was actually the first of its kind when it arrived in the market. Today, it is the market leader in the relevant range of input powers. The HSR line was added to the Sulzer portfolio in 2018 and it represents a new, revolutionary approach. HSR is, however, based on many of the same core technologies as the HST.

These two compressors have a lot of features and benefits in common. The compression is based on the centrifugal principle, because for these flows and pressures the turbocompressor is the most efficient one available. For matching the required high speed of rotation required when compressing air, a big step-up gearbox would typically be needed. In the HST and the HSR, however, a high-speed motor fed by a variable frequency drive is used instead. The use of a VFD gives the added benefit of having control over the speed, and this is overall the most efficient way of controlling the flow in turbo machines.

A key part of the high-speed technology package are the active magnetic bearings. With these the shaft is continuously levitated by controlled magnetic fields. There is no mechanical friction and no mechanical wear. In fact, the first HSTs installed over 20 years ago are still running with their first set of bearings. Magnetic bearings are unique in offering 100% real-time condition monitoring as a built-in feature. Therefore, any snag in the operation will be caught before larger-scale failures can occur.

For the customer, the high-speed technology and the active magnetic bearing system bring benefits that are not available in competing technologies. The high efficiency will not decrease due to wear. The lifetime of the equipment is without match, and the bill for service and maintenance will be slashed. Depending on the application, the payback on the investment in HST or HSR technology will come from savings in energy consumption, maintenance and service.

The HST, supplying air at a typical maximum pressure of 1.25 bar (gauge), has its most comprehensive application in the supply of air to wastewater treatment processes, both on the municipal and industrial side. It is suitable also for many other applications, such as process air for aerobic processes, air knife and loop seals in power plants.

The HSR, designed for the compressed air range of 2-9 bar (gauge), is expected to find good acceptance in the pulp and paper, food and beverage, electronics and textile industries. Common for these applications is that both the air for the process and the air coming out of the compressed air network need to be 100% clean.

Sulzer is eminently placed to bring the benefits of magnetic bearings and high-speed centrifugal compression to the target industries of the HSR. This comes from having two decades of experience from the design, manufacturing and sales of the HST product. On the payroll of Sulzer, there are experts available to guide you to the best possible air compression solution for your plant.