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 […]
Air Preparation
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, […]
Air filters reduce particle contamination risk in food processing and packaging
Festo introduces the MS series of filtration products β filters that lower the risk of particle contamination when compressed air comes into direct contact with food or packaging in the food zone. The MS series meets or exceeds the highest industry standards for clean air. Always in stock with guaranteed fast shipping, MS filters arrive […]
Compressed air fail: Breathing air problems
An automotive manufacturer had various paint booths in which they prepared their products.Β The painters working in the booths used compressed air for breathing inside pressurized suits to protect against fumes.Β When the facility was built, a large breathing air purifier was installed to condition against carbon monoxide poisoning, should the air compressors ingest the […]
Why can compressed air hose reels be a leakage source?
It is very common to find retracting style hose reels installed in locations that use hand tools.Β These items are installed for convenience and make it easy to put the air hoses away, reducing trip hazards β but they have some commonly found problems that can increase compressed air costs and lead to performance problems: […]
Atlas Copco develops solid desiccant block
Atlas Copco has developed what they call the worldβs first completely solid desiccant for air dryers. The material, termed Cerades, will be initially used in its CD 20βΊ-335βΊ series of dryers. Company officials said the new product will revolutionize compressed air drying. Adsorption dryers have previously used containers filled with thousands of tiny desiccant beads […]
Compressed air optimization β 5 basic demand side measures
A compressed air system can have superior efficiency on the supply side, but yet waste a large portion of what its compressors produce. Here are five common items of demand side improvement for any system: Fix leakage β Typical compressed air leakage levels are between 15% and 30% of average flow. Some outlier plants leak […]
FM-approved hazardous location regulators
Four new products are joining the Proportion-Air hazardous location series of regulators. These new Factory Mutual-approved devices meet the precision pneumatic pressure control needs of professionals working in environments where flammable gases, combustible dust or fibers/flyings and filings may be present. Two new intrinsically safe products offer higher accuracy and flow rates for hazardous locations. […]
How do you select compressed air hose sizes?
True story: a fiberglass parts plant was having air pressure problems in their plant, so much so that they had turned their air compressor up to 140 psi. This was the highest it could go, which made it consume 15% more power. But still, their most critical air tool was having performance problems. An air […]
