By Ron Marshall If you want to keep your compressed air costs down, there are a half-dozen important key principles that you should adopt for your system. Following them will keep your system costs down for the long term and save you a bundle. They are: 1. Install efficient equipment βΒ The most important decision affecting […]
Air Preparation
NITRA pneumatic coalescing air filters for mist and vapor filtration
The NITRA pneumatic AC series of coalescing air filters from AutomationDirect allows finer removal of moisture, vapor and oil mist from compressed air applications to provide optimal performance for pneumatic systems and components. NITRA coalescing filters are available in a range of port sizes from 1/8 to 1/2 in. FNPT; replaceable 0.3-micron filter elements are […]
Compressed air: A blowing comparison
Blowing with compressed air is a common efficiency problem in industrial plants. In dusty environments, things like conveyor belts, motors and pulleys need to be kept clear of dust and debris or problems will shut down production. So it is not uncommon to see plant personnel using air wands, or worse, installing continuous blowing to […]
Compressed air fail: Incorrect base unit
A lumber mill manager proudly showed off his plantβs new variable speed drive controlled compressor. The unit had been purchased to increase system efficiency and to give the mill more capacity. A compressed air auditor, who had been sent by the power utility to verify the savings, checked the new compressor control history. He was […]
Air pressure: How low can you go?
Compressed air assessment professionals and service providers know there is no standard pressure for the industrial market.Β One plant needs 90 psi, the next canβt do without 100 psi, the next needs 110, and some run with levels upwards to 140 to 150 psi. In the early days, typical industrial air compressors were never rated […]
How can you learn about compressed air?
Are you a compressed air system know-it-all?Β Or do you want to become one?Β Now is your chance to build your body of knowledge about compressed air systems and have a way to prove you have the βright stuff.β Recently, the Compressed Air and Gas Institute (CAGI) announced recognition programs for Certified Compressed Air System […]
How do you make vacuum with compressed air?
It seems bizarre, but it is possible to make vacuum with compressed air. Vacuum eductors, sometimes called ejectors, or venturi use a flow of compress through a specialized nozzle to create vacuum without a mechanical vacuum pump. The process in its simplest form uses no moving parts, so it is very reliable. It is also […]
Subfreezing dryer delivers Class 3 air with new refrigeration technology
Ingersoll Rand has introduced what it is calling a new breakthrough dryer technology, the Subfreezing Dryer. By incorporating its 146 years of engineering expertise and heritage, Ingersoll Rand has designed a dryer that is the first of its kind β dryer that provides β4Β° F pressure dew point at 70% lower energy costs and 40% […]
How do you meter your compressed air?
A plastics manufacturer installed a new cutting edge variable speed drive lubricant free compressor during their plant expansion.Β Rather than using a heatless desiccant dryer, the unit was purchased with an efficient heat of compression dryer estimated to save thousands of dollars in lost purge. As part of the project, the power utility promised a […]
Compressed air fail: Purifier duty
An automotive factory produces high quality vehicles, requiring top- notch, blemish-free finish on their very expensive product. In their final assembly building is a touch up paint booth, where workers occasionally use fume hoods supplied with compressed breathing air. To supply pure compressed air that is free from the carbon monoxide that might be drawn […]
