When is it time to retire a compressor? Your old unit may have served you very well over the last few decades, reliably providing a seemingly endless supply of compressed air. Some units, like the unit in Fig. 1, have been around so long that they have almost become part the family. This design is […]
Air Preparation
Compressed air fail: OSHA blow gun regulations
Despite being in force since the early 1990s, compressed air auditors frequently run across compressed air safety hazards when studying their clientβs sites. Fig. 1 is a common example where blow guns installed for cleaning have been modified by machine shop personnel. This gun, Β if the tip is blocked, will deliver over 100 psi to […]
How do you size your air receiver?
Compressed air receivers have become more important in modern compressed air systems.Β Having an adequately sized main receiver in the compressor room is quite important for the health and efficiency of your air compressors, especially if you have switched from small reciprocating compressors to lubricated screw type. Years ago, the rule of thumb for use […]
Tsunami CORE desiccant dryer available for pre-order with August launch
Tsunami CORE series desiccant dryer is the newest addition to the Air Dryers product line, designed to better serve the automotive and professional coatings industry. This manual change desiccant air dryer features a spring-loaded cartridge style desiccant canister that eliminates dusting and tunneling of the media. It is rated for 25 cfm and is designed […]
Compressed air success! Found gold
A wood products company decided to conduct a treasure hunt for energy savings on its compressed air system.Β Plant personnel were scheduled to have a production outage during a one-week period β and so they invited a compressed air expert to help them identify any suggested improvements to the system. Industrial plants frequently have staff […]
Elgi announces energy-saving dryers at the 2023 AICD conference
Elgi North America will introduce the AR Premium Series Energy Saving Cycling Refrigerated Air Dryers at the annual Association of Independent Compressor Distributors (AICD) conference in Grapevine, Texas, taking place from May 21β23. In addition, Elgi will showcase its expanded range of AB Series oil-free screw air compressors in 15-30 hp, offering a more affordable […]
Compressed air fail: Poor disposal
A lumber processor installed a remote lubricant-injected rotary screw compressor in an outbuilding to supply compressed air to a debarking system out in the yard.Β Lubricant injected air compressors normally pass some compressor oil into the system β usually about 4 parts per million for a well-maintained compressor β even though there is an air/oil […]
Compressed air fail: Strange CFM profile
Β A sawmill maintenance department requested a compressed air assessment to determine the efficiency of its system and to find out if any improvements could be made to reduce their compressed air system operating costs. They called in an auditor who placed data logging equipment to measure pressure, flow, and power. From these measurements, the auditor […]
Compressed air fail: Air dryer robbery
A routine audit of a wood products company has turned up some surprising results on a system that was thought to be very efficient. The system is simple β one compressor, a 100-hp variable speed drive controlled (VSD) screw compressor, and a heatless desiccant air dryer. Data loggers were placed on the system by a […]
Compressed air fail: Two VSDs
A bakery upgraded its aging compressed air system with to new air compressors. The corporate directive was to replace any old equipment with new more efficient types that would help reduce the companyβs carbon footprint. As a result, the decision was to purchase variable speed drive (VSD) compressors to reduce compressed air energy consumption. Generally, […]
