The BEKOMAT formed the foundation of BEKO TECHNOLOGIES in 1982, the year it was invented, and has been continuously developed to this day. In the meantime, there are many models for the most varied compressor capacities and usage requirements in compressed air preparation. Among them are also some special models for niche applications in special branches of industry. In our interview with Margareth Klein, the responsible product manager, we asked what the BEKOMAT special models are all about.
Practise
BEKOMAT special models - The specialists for special applications
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The BEKOMAT has various special models. Very simple first question: Why?
MK: Actually for the nicest reason you can imagine as a company: Because the customer needed it and wanted it. During the development of the BEKOMAT, it happened time and again that developing industries asked us if we had a solution for their condensate discharge. It doesn't get any better than having a direct line to the customer.
That is the dream of many product developers. If developments were necessary, how was condensate discharged before in such niche areas?
MK: In some areas, compressed air condensate was not discharged at all, or was discharged with float valves or completely manually with manual drains. Electronically level-controlled condensate drains like our BEKOMAT were not available and certainly not for special applications. As a result, condensate drainage was at the expense of compressor performance or subsequent treatment. And of course process reliability.
To what extent did this influence the subsequent compressed air treatment in a compressed air system?
MK: If there is too much condensate in the system, in the worst case it runs into the downstream compressed air treatment components such as filters or dryers without warning. These are not only affected, but can even fail and the compressed air quality is then directly affected. Such a compressed air system is expensive and no one needs compressed air condensate in their application. Even with a low required compressed air quality, machine parts are attacked in the long run by contamination with compressed air condensate. In sensitive applications such as in food production and or the pharmaceutical and automotive industries, compressed air condensate on the product is a real problem.
This does not happen with the BEKOMAT?
MK: Our BEKOMAT condensate drain is electronically level-controlled and has an alarm function that can also be transmitted to the control room. You have to ignore a lot of signals, because the alarm system of the BEKOMAT signals at an early stage if the discharge function is disturbed.
How many BEKOMAT special models are there?
MK: Over time, there have been quite a few, although it is not possible to cover every small performance level of compressors, especially for niche applications. In the portfolio, there are two sizes in a wide variety of designs: One for a smaller compressor capacity and one for large compressors in hard-coated or stainless steel. In total, we have five functional categories with two sizes each. In addition, the special models are rounded off by two further BEKOMAT stainless steel variants for very large compressors.
And which special model is particularly successful?
MK: Here we see the vacuum application growing. Due to the negative pressure in the vacuum system, it must be ensured that the condensate is not "sucked back" into the system during the discharge process. The additional slanted seat valves on this special BEKOMAT ensure that the condensate is not drawn back into the pipes, but is drained off.
Another large range is the BEKOMAT with empty load valve for use on multi-stage compressors explosion-proof areas. With its electronic level-controlled condensate discharge, large valve cross-sections and alarm function, our BEKOMAT offers considerably more safety, especially for this sensitive niche. A comprehensive range of efficient condensate drains for every compressor capacity and compressor type, for every system pressure, for the most diverse operating conditions - and your special areas.
It sounds like the BEKOMAT is a great working partner in every sector!
MK: That's right. And we are continuously developing it to keep it that way.
