It often pays to read the compressor control instructions! One compressed air system owner had two 150-hp load/unload compressors operating at the plant.Β A survey of the compressor hours showed that both compressors were running for significant periods of time in the unloaded condition, still consuming 40 kW, but producing no air. A compressed air […]
VMAC releases original research on air compressor lifespan
A recent survey of 1,464 visitors on the vmacair.com website reveals that most survey respondents expect a truck mounted air compressor to last 6 to 10 years, with 40.5% of respondents selecting this option. Next, 19.2% of respondents selected 1 to 5 years, followed by 17.8% selecting 11 to 15 years. This poll shows that […]
Compressed air fail: Dryer size
A testing building within a large industrial complex required compressed air for general uses in the processing of the materials to be tested for purity.Β The load on the compressed air systems is mostly compressed air powered hand tools and processing equipment, but a small amount of air is used within a laboratory where sensitive […]
Compressed air fail: Water shut-off valve
A large industrial complex used water-cooled compressors to supply 115-psi compressed air to its processes.Β The cooling water temperature was quite low throughout the year and provided compressed air at lower-than-normal temperatures. This took moisture load off the air dryers, but these cool temperatures also caused problems. The plant had been designed with redundant compressor […]
Compressed air power transfer efficiency
How much are you getting out of your compressed air system?Β Well, the answer might disappoint you. Most users consider compressed air as a free unlimited resource and rarely hesitate to hook any extra demands to the system without first considering the financial impact. Consider a typical compressed air powered vane motor that provides a […]
Festo recognized for digital 3D CAD product catalog
Festo SE & Co. KG was awarded the Golden Catalog Seal by CADENAS GmbH for its comprehensive digital 3D CAD product catalog. Festo has been successfully using the digital product catalog based on the eCATALOGsolutions technology from CADENAS for many years, creating the basis for digital twins of its products. The Festo product catalog fulfills […]
Where is the compressed air pressure drop?
A rule of thumb used in the compressed air industry is a compressor consumes 1% more energy for every 2 psi in extra pressure at the discharge. When reducing the energy consumption of a compressed air system, we must pay detailed attention to pressure differentials at various points in the system. These pressure drops all […]
How do you test compressed air flow?
A common question when looking at optimization of a compressed air system is; How much air am I wasting?Β Often, inappropriate uses consume significant amounts of flow, and savings can be gained if the operation can be supplied more efficiently through optimization measures.Β To be able to initiate improvement projects, we must first calculate how […]
Compressed air fail: Costly drying
A phone call was received from a corporate energy manager. He reported in a frustrated tone that he was monitoring power consumption of all his compressors and dryers and had noticed a problem. He could see on his monitoring system an air dryer connected to a compressor permanently removed from service was still running! When […]
Compressed air fail: Lubricant choice
A maintenance technician was tired of paying a high price for his screw compressor lubricant.Β His buddy down the road had just picked up some hydraulic oil at only $80 a pail β and he was recommending using this instead. At first glance, the oils looked the same … what could it hurt, he reasoned, […]
