A large automotive service shop had two 100-hp compressors, one being a VSD, both available to supply the compressed air they needed for painting and body assembly of large vehicles. The load was full of peaks, and the maintenance staff needed up to 400 cfm to provide flow to paint booths and breathing air hoods […]
Air Preparation
Compressed air fail: Penny pinching
A farm implement manufacturer expanded its facility about 15 years ago, and personnel decided they wanted a premium compressed air system. They purchased three very efficient two-stage premium compressors, one being a VSD, and connected the equipment with large piping to reduce pressure loss. Filters were mist-eliminator style to reduce pressure loss. Air dryers were […]
Compressed air fail: Poor sealing methods
If you have ever done leakage detection with an ultrasonic leak detector you will get to know the common leak locations. If you have no detector, there is no excuse these days, excellent equipment is available for you to purchase at a reasonable price, go get it! A common sight β or rather sound β […]
Using pressure regulator assemblies for industrial applications
Accurate, repeatable pressure regulation for applications like testing industrial products and processes, running fountains, or controlling the temperature of saturated steam can be easily achieved with the right pressure regulator assembly. A Proportion-Air QBX proportional electro-pneumatic pressure regulator piloting a Burling Valve BD4 pressure reducing regulator is an ideal combination to meet the demands of […]
Compressed air fail: Bearing cooling
A wood products company hired a compressed air auditor to check out its system and try to discover why it now needed to run three compressors rather than the normal two units that previously satisfied the plant demand. The auditor placed instruments on their system to measure pressure, power, temperature, and flow β and quickly […]
Understanding air flow and FRLs
By Josh Cosford, Contributing Editor ΊΪΑΟ³ΤΉΟ systems are widely used within industrial environments to power machinery and equipment, providing reliable and efficient performance. The Filter-Regulator-Lubricator (FRL) is vital in maintaining optimal air quality and pressure within these systems. However, when selecting an FRL, one must not overlook the significance of understanding FRL air flow characteristics, […]
Lightweight, basic air preparation service units available from Festo
Festo launches MS-Basic, a family of pneumatic service units in polymer housings that offer attractively priced components covering most application needs. MS-Basic air preparation components have the functionality to perform the most important technical tasks necessary for proper compressed air preparation and consist of pressure regulators, filter regulators, electric on/off and soft start valves, as […]
Compressed air fail: Breathing air purifier
A metal process plant has two breathing air purifiers installed on site for the protection of its personnel. These units are installed to ensure hazardous Carbon Monoxide is kept out of breathing air. Recently, the two systems were evaluated by a compressed air auditor. When paint fumes or metal particles are in the ambient air […]
Should wet compressed air receiver tanks be outdoors?
During plant inspections, it is often noticed that compressed air receiver tanks are installed outdoors. This is done for a reason β and is a good idea, in many cases, because it benefits the operation of air drying and filtering equipment and produces better quality compressed air when hot summer days cause worst-case conditions. Here […]
Compressed air fail: Remote cooler install
A wood products company called in a compressed air auditor to have a look at its compressed air system. System reliability was poor, and the staff was having issues with the main compressor, a 200-hp air cooled screw compressor that carried most of the plant load. This compressor was rated at 100 psi, but recently […]
