In temperatures reaching 47°- 50°, with the air thick with dust and sand,  Atlas Copco portable air compressors have been proving their mettle for the last five years in different sandblasting projects undertaken by Egypt Gas. The company has been providing its specialist pipeline installation and maintenance services throughout Egypt and the Middle East since 1983 and has been a customer of Atlas Copco for more than 15 years. For the past five years it has relied on an ‘XATS 350’ model for its maintenance works, sandblasting any material deteriorating due to rust, paint, or oil from steel pipelines.

The XATS 350 delivers 10bar pressure to the sandblasting unit, propelling compressed air through approximately 10m to 20m of air hose and a 9mm nozzle. Thanks to its robust design features, the unit is said to excel in the harsh environment of Upper Egypt region, running for 12h/day. Built to withstand the most extreme conditions, the compressor has been tested to perform optimally even in 50° making it the perfect match for Upper Egypt, where ambient temperatures lie between 47- 50°C in the height of the summer season. Besides these hot temperatures, dust and sandstorms are common during the spring and summer season in this region. 

The XATS 350’s heavy duty air filters remove dust and sand contaminants from entering the compressor, while an enhanced cooling system ensures reliable operations in scorching conditions. It’s top mounted muffler further works to reduce fire risks and overheating. Egypt Gas says that its Atlas Copco unit is the backbone of its shotblasting operations and that it is used for 2,000h/year. Even when consistently faced with extreme heat, sand and dust throughout the last five years, Egypt Gas states that it continues to prove its resilience and efficiency.