Rand-Air, an established provider of air, nitrogen, power, flow, steam boiler and lighting solutions, further invested in the XATS1200 compressors in its fleet in April.

The compressors, introduced to the market in August 2020, have a variable-pressure range of between 5 to 10 bar with a volume flow of 1 200 cubic feet a minute (CFM), explains Rand-Air sales and marketing manager Byrone Thorne.

He adds that the company supplied 17 diesel compressors within a 24-hour period to a platinum mine – following a critical compressor break down – in the North West.

The hire equipment included three PTS800Mk1 D800 CFM compressors, three XAMS527 D1000 CFM diesel oil-injected screw compressors, two XRHS3662 HP750 CFM compressors, one ZATS377 D1000 CFM compressor, one PTS9 D1500 CFM compressor, one PTS800 MK1 OF800 CFM compressor, one PNS1 OFH 1200 CFM compressor and five D1200 compressors.

More than 300 m of hoses, and compressor coupling accessories were also supplied.

Thorne highlights that the diesel compressors are manufactured by industrial equipment manufacturer and Rand-Air’s parent company Atlas Copco. The compressors are ISO 9001-, 14001- and 18001-certified and feature the latest compressed air technology.

“Typically, customers in the mining segment have a large centralised compressor unit, with existing infrastructure to support such mining activities.”

Thorne adds that the compressors’ technical design results in economic fuel consumption, while its full portability allows for easy transportation and convenient on-site installation.

Customers generally consider rental options when there is a breakdown or other urgent requirement. Rental services offer a versatile solution without the customer having to invest in capital and, ultimately, make long-term decisions, says Thorne.

As a result, Rand-Air has been successful in placing Industrial Plant Rental (IPR) units close to the point of need at certain mines, eliminating the need for expensive long-range air piping and subsequent potential air leakage.

Thorne states that Rand-Air offers a range of diesel, electric and oil-free compressors, diesel and electric generators, nitrogen generators, and pumps, as well as steam boilers – all of which are also available as a rental option.

Owing to its guiding ethos of making agility count for customers, Rand-Air has a continuous commitment to quality customer service, by ensuring the availability of its technicians on-site, to assist with the connections and start-ups with all hires.

In addition to providing customers with 24/7 technical assistance on installations, the company anticipates additional rental requirements for equipment and plans accordingly.

It provides quick-release couplings with its compressors to ensure fast and time-saving connection of the compressors, explains Rand-Air sales representative Marinda Enslin.