The typical piping installed in industrial plants and shops is made of steel, and as a result may be subject to rusting and contamination. Fig. 1 and 2 show what was found at a heavy industrial plant with the air compressors taking in polluted air. Rusting and contamination in compressed air system piping can lead […]
Compressed air fail: Pressure increase
Normally when measuring the pressure gradient of a compressed air system in an industrial site, the pressure at the compressor discharge is the highest of all locations. Once the compressed air travels through piping, filters, air dryers, and other components β each causing restriction to flow β the pressure at the far end of the […]
Compressed air fail: Duct tape leak repair
I found a leak, itβs hissing loud, Compressed air whistling, oh so proud. I grabbed some duct tape, rolled it tight, Thinking Iβd fix this leak tonight. But oh, that tape β it flaps and flails, Like itβs on a ship with stormy sails. The air just laughed, a mocking squeak, βYou canβt fix me, […]
Compressed air fail: Variable speed
In this blog post, we will discuss the fifth of five industrial compressor capacity control modes. A very efficient method of controlling a compressor at part load using variable speed mode. With this type of compressor, an electronic drive is fitted to a specially designed compressor with air end components matched to the intended speed […]
Compressed air fail: Load/unload
In this blog post, we will discuss the third of five industrial compressor capacity control modes. A moderately efficient method of controlling a compressor at part load uses load/unload mode with adequately sized storage receiver capacity. With this mode, a pressure switch, or electronic control, is used to provide load and unload signals to the […]
Compressed air fail: Modulating mode
In this blog post, we will discuss the second of five industrial compressor capacity control modes. The least efficient method of controlling a compressor at part load is using modulating mode by way of pneumatically controlled inlet valve control. With this mode, a pneumatic system detects the compressor discharge pressure and compares it to a […]
Compressed air fail: Start/stop mode
In this blog post, we will discuss the first of five industrial compressor capacity control modes. The simplest method of controlling a compressor is Start/Stop mode using pressure switch control. This control simply turns on the compressor to run at full load when the pressure hits a lower pressure level β and turns off the […]
Compressed air fail: Variable displacement
There are five different capacity control modes available for use with North American-built large industrial air compressors. It pays to know how each mode works, especially if you operate or service air compressors or happen to have your compressors operating in one of the least efficient modes. The accompanying photograph shows just one design that […]
Compressed air fail: Air-oil separator failure
A compressed air auditor regularly flow-tested the compressors under his study. This generally would be done if the air compressor was drawing low amps β a telltale sign that the unit is producing low flow output β or if the compressor has excessive hours. Often times, internal wear due to age will reduce output […]
Why use point-of-use dryers with compressed air systems?
It is common to see the air in a complete plant dried by a desiccant dryer only to service one small end-use that is subject to freezing temperatures. The purge from a large desiccant dryer is much more costly than that of a small point-of-use dryer, which can be placed on the outdoor feed. The […]









