A food processor increased its production capacity and installed a rental compressor to feed the new load.  Previous compressors were lubricated type with refrigerated dryers. The new compressor was a 200-hp oil-free variety with heatless desiccant dryer.  A 1,060-gal storage tank was installed to work with the compressor, which operated in load/unload mode. A compressed air […]

One of the byproducts of creating compressed air is heat, and lots of it. This heat is emitted by the compressors and air dryers, and must be removed from the compressor room or unpleasant consequences will result. A very common problem with air cooled compressors is making the assumption that the hot air exhausted from the […]

There are some useful habits that always keep compressed air systems running smoothly. It pays to develop these and exercise them on a regular basis to avoid problems that may cause unplanned shutdowns, lost production and other challenges: Keep it clean — Compressor rooms are like vacuum cleaners, the flow of air into the compressor cooling systems […]

A food processing plant had installed a new variable speed drive compressor as extra capacity for their plant.  Another variable speed unit of the same size had been running their system for a number of years.  A compressed air auditor measured their system with data loggers and the readings showed that both compressors were unexpectedly […]

So you want to do a compressed air audit. Congratulations, you are taking a big, important step!  Measuring your compressed air system is a very good way to start understanding the costs associated with your system — and what challenges you are facing with efficiency, pressure, air quality and reliability.  If you are calling in […]

Everyone knows that, if left unsupervised or uncontrolled, any system will fall out of adjustment.  Compressed air systems are no different, compressor pressure settings will drift, leaks will appear, and all manner of waste will be created by accident or design. Consider a plant that makes farm machinery, the subject of the graphic in this […]

If you have a look at your compressed air system, you will likely see a number of gauges telling you the pressure in the pipes — but rarely are there any instruments telling you how efficient your system is or how much compressed air is being consumed. These missing pieces mean you are operating your […]

Having a compressed air audit done can open your eyes to things that have gone on under your nose for a long time.  Basic to a compressed air study is calculating the annual operating cost of the system by taking the measurements collected by system instrumentation (temporary or permanent) and the site utility costs and […]