Targeted Airblow at Russel City power plant, USA

Cogen Cleaning Technology uses 18 Atlas Copco Rental compressors to clean the pipes of the Russell City power plant, California, USA, during the final stages of the construction.

April 18, 2013

The process of commissioning a startup requires cleaning the pipes throughout the facility. A big airblow requires 8 to 12 compressors: this project had 18 Atlas Copco PNS 1250 and XRVS high pressure compressors. Cogen also rented 9 Atlas Copco Hurricane boosters for the high pressure portion of this project, each with a coalescing filter pack and 14 fuel tanks. The plan was to have 2 backup compressors but the 2 XRVS compressors allowed to reconfigure the manifold so both high and low pressure testing could be conducted at the same time. On this job the chemical cleaning process was followed by a “hydrolaze” process: a high-pressure spray that knocks out debris stuck in the pipes. It took a month for this project. “It’s about a week per system [18 on this job], but we combined the process to get it done faster,” Wakeem said.

Choosing Atlas Copco Rental as our partner in this project was a no-brainer. [Atlas Copco Rental was] critical in securing this project, providing their expertise all throughout the bid process.

Gregg Alper , President and CEO of Cogen

After this a target [polished carbon steel plates shined to a mirror finish] was inserted into the line. When sufficient time had passed, the target was removed and checked for quality of air in the system. Targets at first are pitted and abrasive: when the targets show repeatedly clean, the process is finished. This project required 18 systems to be blown, each with different lengths of time. “You go into a project this size knowing there will be issues. We received very good support from Atlas Copco Rental that allowed us to continue to make progress.” 

For further information please contact

  • Olivia Gambin, Divisional Communication Manager Atlas Copco Specialty Rental Tel.: +32 3 750 82 87 Email:
    • Olivia Gambin, Divisional Communication Manager Atlas Copco Specialty Rental Tel.: +32 3 750 82 87 Email:
      • Olivia Gambin, Divisional Communication Manager Atlas Copco Specialty Rental Tel.: +32 3 750 82 87 Email:

        Atlas Copco is a world-leading provider of sustainable productivity solutions. The Group serves customers with innovative compressors, vacuum solutions and air treatment systems, construction and mining equipment, power tools and assembly systems. Atlas Copco develops products and service focused on productivity, energy efficiency, safety and ergonomics. The company was founded in 1873, is based in Stockholm, Sweden, and has a global reach spanning more than 180 countries. In 2015, Atlas Copco had revenues of BSEK 102 (BEUR 11) and more than 43 000 employees.

        Specialty Rental is a division within Atlas Copco’s Construction Technique business area. It serves customers in the industry segments around the world with temporary air, nitrogen, steam and power rental solutions. The specialty rental services are offered under several brands. The divisional headquarters is located in Houston, USA.