Atlas Copco is expanding its DrillAir range with a new compressor designed to meet the demands of the geothermal drilling industry. The DrillAirX28 provides improved versatility and drilling speed. Its new engine enables users to drill two 200-meter holes in one day at 30 bar of pressure.

“The X28 is designed to balance the relationship between pressure and flow and for the compressor to find the right combination for the application,” says Dmitry Karablinov, product marketing manager, Atlas Copco Portable Energy. “By equipping the compressor with DrillAirXpert technology, users can accurately set the air output based on their drilling requirements, helping to reduce fuel dependency.”

The X28 has a nominal flow of 28.3m3 per minute, but crucially has a pressure rating of 30 bar. The compressor is designed for geothermal drilling where back pressure is typically higher than in water well drilling. The additional five bar of pressure helps to overcome this, while providing enough flow to drive the hammer.

The new DrillAir X28 comes standard with dynamic flow boost, which provides additional air when the compressor is working at lower pressures. This results in users being provided with 30 m3 per minute at 25 bar, 31.6 m3 per minute at 21 bar and a maximum flow of 33 m3 per minute at 16 bar, all leading to faster drilling completion rates.

The DrillAirXpert performance management system is fully electronic, increasing precision and reliability. The system is freeze-resistant, ensuring it can be deployed in the harshest of environments. The compressor features a 13-liter Scania engine, compliant with stage IV emissions standards. With a large fuel tank and a focus on efficiency, the compressor is capable of running multiple shifts before refueling.

Atlas Copco, based in Stockholm, Sweden, serves segments ranging from compressors and air treatment systems to construction, mining and drilling equipment. The company, founded in 1873, has more than 39,800 employees worldwide, and operates in more than 170 countries. Atlas Copco in North America operates in more than 109 locations and employs more than 4,500 people in the United States. For more information, visit www.atlascopco.us.