Atlas Copco has announced the release of its new Z range of positive displacement and centrifugal blowers. The ZB series are available in two versions: the ZB 80 with a rated input power of 95kW producing 3600m3/h at 1.1bar(e) and the 190kW ZB160 machine delivering 3800m3/h at 1.7bar(e). The principal features of these blowers are the total absence of oil in the machine, a high-speed compact motor unit, frictionless, vibration-free drive and low noise levels down to 67dB(A). At the heart of these units is the Atlas Copco-designed stainless steel, backward lean impeller with labyrinth seals. The impeller is directly mounted onto the motor shaft. The low noise characteristic of the ZB blowers is the result of a standard baffled sound enclosure combined with vibration-free operation. ZB blowers come as a complete package, the standard version featuring an air inlet system, including filters, sound enclosure, outlet check valve, blow-off valve with silencer, electronic controller, and ready-to-start electric equipment. Options include LAN or Internet control/monitoring, an air-cooled version of the ZB 80 and a water-cooled after-cooler. Typical applications for the ZB blowers include water treatment and aeration, fermentation processes, flue gas desulphurisation, air cleaning and drying.