“Runtech’s EP series turbo blowers have been at the heart of the RunEco vacuum system for two decades, improving energy efficiency in paper mills. The latest advancement in EP technology is the RunEco EP650 AMB,” says Ville Lahdensuo, Director of Product Development at Runtech Systems.
“The introduction of EP turbos to Runtech’s offering occurred with the acquisition of Ecopump Oy in 2008. This move quickly paid off. EP turbos gained a strong position in the industry. A milestone was reached in September 2024 when the Kotka production plant celebrated the completion of the thousandth EP turbo. Now Runtech Systems is launching a new turbo model for vacuum systems in paper machines.”
The new RunEco EP650 AMB turbo features active magnetic bearings. High efficiency, material efficiency and compact design are key in the design of EP Turbo fans, with the impellers mounted directly on the motor shaft.
According to Runtech experts, the design solution not only simplifies the system, but also improves its reliability, as only two bearing units are required for the entire turbo. In addition, the compact design makes installation in a factory environment easier and faster. Turbofans based on active magnetic bearing technology are more energy efficient, more robust against contamination, require less maintenance and reduce life cycle costs, making them even more competitive.
“We have been exploring alternative bearing technologies to expand our offering. The RunEco EP1000 active magnetic bearings have already been deployed at the paper mill. Magnetic bearing technology is a significant step forward towards more sustainable papermaking, as it offers significantly lower life cycle costs. The compact size and material efficiency of the EP turbofans, combined with reduced energy consumption, make them an excellent solution. We have sold over 1 turbofans worldwide to date. The average energy savings have been 100 percent in vacuum system renewals, which means energy savings of 45 TWh and CO2,6 reduction of 2 tons per year,” says Ville Lahdensuo.
RunEco vacuum systems offer a sustainable and environmentally friendly, tailor-made vacuum solution for the paper industry. The system operates without water, improves reliability and significantly reduces CO2 emissions. RunEco replaces traditional vacuum devices with adjustable turbos and optimized doctoring and trough solutions. Energy efficiency is optimized by targeting the vacuum exactly where it is needed.
“EcoFlow dewatering meters enable the optimization of vacuum levels. They provide information on the level of dewatering at different vacuum levels, which can minimize energy consumption and promote the efficiency of the entire system. The precise axial force measurement enabled by magnetic bearings has helped Runtech adjust the impeller design, which further improves efficiency. The efficiency of RunEco EP turbofans from mains to gas power exceeds 60 percent over a wide operating range, with a peak value of over 70 percent,” says Ville Lahdensuo from Runtech Systems.
What? Runtech's new RunEco EP650 AMB turbo features active magnetic bearings. High efficiency, material efficiency and compact design are key in the design of EP Turbo fans.
Why? The new design solution improves system reliability. The compact structure also makes installation in a factory environment easier and faster. Turbofans based on active magnetic bearing technology are more energy efficient, require less maintenance and reduce life cycle costs.
