Making snowboards in a sustainable way – with clean air
Challenge
At its Austrian site in Freistritz, CAPiTA produces around 110,000 snowboards a year to the highest standards. The company’s standards are also high; production is completely emission-free; CAPiTA generates electricity with a PV system on its own roof, supplemented by energy from a river water heat pump on the neighbouring River Gail. As demand grows, a new production facility is being built in the futuristic-looking production hall. The right extraction solution had to meet the high standards. It was to be installed outdoors, so it had to operate quietly and without major heat loss – and it also had to match the aesthetics of the CAPiTA “mother ship” in terms of color.
Solution
When it came to choosing an efficient extraction system, CAPiTA opted for the PROFI JET® modular filter system unit from AL-KO Extraction Technology. An AVR 500-30kW IE 3 fan generates a negative pressure of 4000 Pa/stat and circulates a volume flow of 17,000 m³/h. The frequency converter ensures that the system operates with maximum energy efficiency depending on the load. Four woodworking machines are connected to the PROFI JET. It operates in recirculation mode and returns the heat from the aspirated air back into the hall. In this way, CAPiTA saves on heating costs during the cold season.
The PROFI JET enclosure consists of double-walled steel panels insulated with mineral wool. The inner and outer shells are thermally decoupled, giving the system optimum thermal and acoustic insulation. For CAPiTA, the panels are powder-coated in black to match the “mothership” – a harmonious look for the system’s filter unit. Free field measurements of operating noise show an excellent value of 47 dB – no problem for a nearby residential area, even in two-shift operation.
Conclusion: The AL-KO PROFI JET at CAPiTA is an all-round successful solution that has proven itself in practice. Thanks to its modular design, the system can be expanded quickly if required.
