By Ron Marshall The pressure at which you operate your system has a significant effect on the energy efficiency of your air compressors, and Β can affect the air consumption of the compressed air powered tools and equipment in the plant. Running at higher pressure than desired causes higher system flow and more power consumption, increasing […]
Air Preparation
VMAC enters equipment rental market with gas engine-driven air compressor
VMAC has entered the equipment rental market, leading with the VMAC 30 CFM G30 gas engine-driven air compressor. The affordable VMAC G30 gas-driven rotary screw air compressor is now available for the first time to equipment rental customers. “There’s been tremendous growth in the equipment rental market in recent years, and the market is expected […]
Will a VSD compressor save me money?
The development of the variable speed drive screw compressors has had a large impact on the efficiency of compressed air systems worldwide.Β If properly applied, one or more variable speed controlled compressors installed in a system will save energy and may even help better control system pressure. Typical fixed speed compressors always run their main […]
Why are my compressed air lines freezing?
The water vapor contained compressed air will condense out if the temperature of the air in plant piping falls below the compressed air dew point. If the pipes are below the freezing point of water, such as in an outdoor installation in winter, then ice forms. The ice will build up and block the flow […]
Should I buy a bigger air compressor to supply my future growth?
A big question when buying an air compressor is βwill it be big enough?β Having a larger compressor than you currently need reduces the possibility of pressure problems due to lack of capacity, but purchasing a compressor that is too large can significantly increase your operating costsβespecially if you choose a fixed speed lubricated screw […]
Compressed air fail: Forgotten dryer setting
By Ron Marshall A food processing plant purchased an energy saving externally heated purge type dryer to save compressed air system energy. This dryer is designed to consume only 7.5% purge flow, compared to 15% for a standard heatless dryer, and was purchased with an onboard energy management system (EMS). The internal dewpoint dependent switching […]
Compressed Air Fail: Settings problem causes high unload hours
By Ron Marshall A paint manufacturer had a small compressed air system consisting of four lubricated screw compressors feeding general plant compressed air flows.Β As part of a compressed air assessment, the compressor operations were monitored and found that all four of the compressors were running during production but they were at reduced duty cycle.Β […]
Compressed Air Fail: Control problem due to high flow events
By Ron Marshall A sawmill installed a VSD compressor in their compressed air system to save energy and provide better pressure control.Β The site had two 50-hp fixed speed compressors and a new 75-hp VSD controlled compressor.Β The system was supposed to be set up so that the VSD compressor would provide the variable flow […]
Compressed Air Fail: Tale of two plants
By Ron Marshall A protein products processor has two plants, separated by a one hour drive, doing about the same thing. The first plant has a standard 60 hp fixed speed, load/unload compressor with dew point controlled heated air dryer, and a 600-gal receiver.Β A compressed air assessment was done and the baseline for this […]
Compressed air fail: Saving money on compressor purchase
By Ron Marshall A mine located in northern Canada has a compressed air system used to generate 150 psi compressed air for diesel engine starting duty. Due to the failure of the original compressor, a new compressor was purchased as a replacement. The previous compressor operated in load/unload mode with timed shutdown. This ensured the […]
