ELGi demand=match
Screw Compressors
Match compressed air supply to demand and reduce wasted energy
Compressed air demand rarely stays constant. Production cycles, equipment use and changing processes can all cause air requirements to rise and fall throughout the day.
ELGi Demand=Match technology allows compatible fixed-speed screw compressors to automatically adjust their air delivery to better match actual plant demand.
By intelligently recirculating airflow within the compressor, Demand=Match can reduce unnecessary energy consumption, maintain more stable system pressure and minimise frequent pressure cut-in and cut-out cycles. The technology can deliver energy savings of up to 17%.
Why compressed air demand matters
Traditional fixed-speed compressors are designed to produce a relatively constant output, while the amount of compressed air required by a facility can change considerably.
When air demand falls, a conventional fixed-speed compressor can continue operating at full capacity, leading to excess pressure, unnecessary energy consumption and repeated load/unload cycles.
ELGi developed Demand=Match to address this mismatch between compressor output and plant demand. The system automatically adjusts compressor delivery as demand changes, helping provide the right amount of compressed air when it is required.
How does ELGi Demand=Match work?
Demand=Match controls compressor delivery by recirculating airflow internally within the compressor.
Rather than continually supplying maximum output regardless of demand, the system adjusts delivery so that compressor output more closely reflects the compressed air requirements of the plant.
This helps the compressor maintain a more stable nominal system pressure while reducing unnecessary pressure build-up and frequent cut-in/cut-out cycling.
The result is a fixed-speed compressed air solution capable of responding more effectively to changing air demand.
Benefits of Demand=Match
Energy savings of up to 17%
Reducing unnecessary compressor output can lower the amount of energy consumed when compressed air demand falls. ELGi specifies potential energy savings of up to 17% with Demand=Match.
Variable air delivery
Demand=Match is designed to accommodate air demand variation from 100% down to 40%, allowing compressor delivery to respond to changing production requirements.
More stable system pressure
Rather than repeatedly allowing pressure to rise to the compressor cut-out point and fall back towards cut-in pressure, Demand=Match is designed to maintain a more stable nominal pressure.
This can help reduce excess pressure losses and unnecessary energy consumption.
Reduced compressor cycling
Frequent pressure cut-in and cut-out cycles can place additional stress on compressor components.
Demand=Match enables more stable compressor operation with minimal or no pressure cut-in/cut-out cycling under suitable operating conditions, supporting consistent performance and reliability.
Lower operating costs
By matching compressor delivery more closely to demand, businesses can reduce energy wasted producing compressed air that is not required.
For facilities operating compressed air systems for long periods each day, these savings can contribute to lower whole-of-life operating costs.
Reduced carbon footprint
Lower energy consumption can also reduce the electricity-related carbon footprint associated with compressed air generation, supporting broader energy-efficiency and sustainability objectives.
Demand=Match vs conventional fixed-speed compressors
Conventional Fixed-Speed Compressor
Can run at full capacity when air demand is lower
Can generate higher-than-required pressure
May experience frequent cut-in/cut-out cycles
Potential for unnecessary energy consumption
Constant compressor output
Compressor with Demand=Match
Adjusts air delivery to better match demand
Maintains a more stable nominal pressure
Reduces or minimises cut-in/cut-out cycling
Potential energy savings of up to 17%
Variable delivery to suit changing demand
Demand=Match or VFD: what’s the difference?
Both technologies are designed to respond to changing compressed air demand, but they work differently.
A Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) changes the speed of the compressor motor to vary compressor output. ELGi’s VFD system adjusts motor speed to match compressor output with demand and can reduce frequent load/unload cycles.
Demand=Match retains a fixed-speed compressor configuration and instead regulates delivery by intelligently recirculating airflow within the compressor.
This provides another option for businesses wanting their compressor to respond to variable air demand without necessarily moving to a VFD compressor.
The best solution will depend on factors including your air demand profile, operating hours, required pressure, compressor size and expected variation in production.
Pneumatic Engineering can assess your compressed air requirements and help determine which compressor configuration is most appropriate for your facility.
Available on ELGi EG and EQ Series compressors
Demand=Match technology is available on selected compressors within the ELGi EG Series and ELGi EQ Series.
The EG Series is ELGi’s range of oil-injected rotary screw air compressors, designed with a focus on energy efficiency, reliability and low total cost of ownership.
Key EG Series features include highly efficient airends, robust cooling, low oil carryover, moisture separation and ELGi’s advanced compressor control technology.
The EQ Series provides a robust screw compressor platform designed around reliability, long operating life and straightforward maintenance.
Demand=Match-equipped EQ models are available across multiple motor sizes and working pressures, including models from 11 kW through to 45 kW in the supplied 50 Hz range.
Is Demand=Match right for your compressed air system?
Demand=Match may be worth considering where compressed air consumption changes throughout the working day rather than remaining at a constant level.
Typical environments may include:
- Manufacturing facilities with changing production loads
- Workshops operating different combinations of pneumatic equipment
- Mining and industrial facilities with fluctuating processes
- Packaging and processing operations
- Automotive facilities
- Agriculture
- Cement and materials processing
- Other applications where compressed air demand varies throughout production
Speak to Pneumatic Engineering about Demand=Match
Choosing the right compressor is about more than matching a motor size to an air requirement.
Understanding your actual compressed air demand, operating pressure, usage patterns and future production requirements can help identify opportunities to reduce energy consumption and improve system performance.
Pneumatic Engineering can help assess your compressed air requirements and recommend an ELGi screw compressor configuration suited to your operation.
Whether you are replacing an existing fixed-speed compressor, expanding your compressed air system or investigating ways to reduce energy costs, talk to our team about ELGi Demand=Match technology.
Right air. Right time. Less waste.
Why Pneumatic Engineering?
For over 45 years, Pneumatic Engineering has supported Western Australian businesses with reliable, compliant compressed air systems. We offer:
- 24/7 service coverage across WA.
- Genuine parts stocked locally.
- ISO 9001:2015 certified systems and services.
- Expertise in Australian compliance and pressure vessel registration.
Get a Quote Today
Upgrade to Demand=Match technology and start saving energy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ELGi Demand=Match?
Demand=Match is an ELGi compressor technology that
automatically adjusts compressed air delivery to better match plant demand. It
does this by intelligently recirculating airflow inside the compressor.
How much energy can Demand=Match save?
ELGi states that Demand=Match can provide energy savings of up to 17%. Actual savings will depend on the compressor installation, operating conditions and compressed air demand profile.
Is Demand=Match the same as a VFD compressor?
No. A VFD adjusts compressor output by changing motor speed. Demand=Match operates on a fixed-speed compressor and adjusts air delivery through internal airflow recirculation.
How much can Demand=Match vary compressor output?
ELGi states that Demand=Match can handle demand variation from 100% down to 40%.
Which ELGi compressors are available with Demand=Match?
Demand=Match is offered on selected ELGi EG Series and EQ Series screw compressors. The appropriate model will depend on required airflow, pressure and application.
Can Pneumatic Engineering help determine whether Demand=Match will save energy at my facility?
Yes. Compressor selection should take actual air demand and operating conditions into account. Pneumatic Engineering can review your compressed air requirements and recommend an appropriate ELGi compressor solution.
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