By Ron Marshall The short answer is βas cool as possible, but not below freezing.β The practical answer is uncomfortably cool, in the range of 50Β° to 60Β° F. Keeping the temperature low reduces the amount of condensed moisture in the discharge air and makes things easier for the air dryer. Compressors generate significant heat […]
Air Preparation
Compressed air fail: Extra audit benefits
A compressed air auditor was performing his work at a large mining operation. He and the site electrician were opening up the various machine electrical panels to enable power factor testing. Within seconds of opening one compressor panel, the electrician jumped back with fright and informed the auditor he was going to be a while. […]
Compressed air fail: Desiccant dryers
When working with desiccant-style compressed air dryers, there are several factors to consider, to ensure optimal performance and efficiency. Desiccant dryers rely on two towers filled with desiccant material that alternately dry the air and regenerate, to maintain continuous operation. The regenerative purge is essential to removing the moisture collected by the desiccant, but it […]
Compressed air fail: Winter operation
Preparing an industrial compressed air system for cold winter conditions is essential to ensure reliable operation, prevent equipment failures, and avoid costly downtime. Cold weather introduces unique challenges, such as moisture buildup, freezing, and increased system stress β all of which must be addressed to keep the system running efficiently. Proactive preparation can safeguard your […]
Compressed air fail: Portable flow meter
When performing leakage detection on your compressed air system with your ultrasonic leak detector (if you donβt have one, good grief, run out and get one!), you will run across various leaks in piping and equipment. Many of these are small, so roughly less than $100 value per year. But quite often, you will find […]
Compressed air fail: Waste measured by flow meter
Do you know how much air your compressed air system is consuming? How about the level of waste during non-production? If you donβt, it may be time to purchase a flowmeter to find out the answers to these questions. Recently during a leak assessment, a compressed air auditor was surprised to see 46 cfm flowing […]
Compressed air fail: Pipe contamination
The typical piping installed in industrial plants and shops is made of steel, and as a result may be subject to rusting and contamination. Fig. 1 and 2 show what was found at a heavy industrial plant with the air compressors taking in polluted air. Rusting and contamination in compressed air system piping can lead […]
Compressed air fail: Pressure increase
Normally when measuring the pressure gradient of a compressed air system in an industrial site, the pressure at the compressor discharge is the highest of all locations. Once the compressed air travels through piping, filters, air dryers, and other components β each causing restriction to flow β the pressure at the far end of the […]
Improving packaging applications with pneumatic control
Increase efficiency and effectiveness by choosing the right pneumatic control or regulation product for accurate, repeatable results. By Mindy Schoeff, Marketing Communications Manager, Proportion-Air Facilities that manufacture packaging products, or those that do the actual packaging, are no strangers to pneumatic control. Whether pressing a product, filling it, conveying or moving materials, testing or sealing, […]
Compressed air fail: Duct tape leak repair
I found a leak, itβs hissing loud, Compressed air whistling, oh so proud. I grabbed some duct tape, rolled it tight, Thinking Iβd fix this leak tonight. But oh, that tape β it flaps and flails, Like itβs on a ship with stormy sails. The air just laughed, a mocking squeak, βYou canβt fix me, […]









