Industrial Utility Efficiency

System Assessments

Thought Leaders on System Optimization Past & Future

Edited by Troy Dreier, Senior Editor, Compressed Air Best Practices® Magazine

We asked a hand-selected list of original equipment manufacturers, independent compressed air system sales and service companies, manufacturing plants and independent system auditors to share their thoughts, highlighting the changes they’ve seen over the past 20 years, then predicting what the next 20 years will bring.

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The Fundamentals of Dew Point Measurement in Compressed Air Systems

By Vaisala

Dew point is simply the temperature to which air must be cooled for the water vapor within to condense into dew or frost. At any temperature, there is a maximum amount of water vapor that the air can hold. This maximum amount is called the water vapor saturation pressure. If more water vapor is added beyond this point, it will result in condensation.
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Maintaining Compressed Air Filters and the Purpose of Differential Pressure Monitoring Devices

By Mark White, Parker Hannifin

The foundation of any purification system is its filtration and of the ten main contaminants found in a compressed air system, filtration is responsible for the treatment of nine of them. Coalescing filters are the most important piece of purification equipment as they reduce six of the ten contaminants and a look in any air compressor room will find a pair of coalescing filters (backed up with dry particulate and oil vapor removal filters).
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Adsorbents for Heat Reactivated Compressed Air Dryers

By Artem Vityuk, Adsorbent Solutions, BASF Corporation

In the field of externally heated adsorption dryers there is a large variety of different systems on the market offering substantial flexibility in terms of process flows, dew points and energy demand. Often, economic parameters and project-specific requirements ultimately define the individual user-specific solution. This article discusses the basic types of desiccants used in compressed air dryers.
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Unilever Ice Cream Plant Reduces Compressed Air Consumption with Pneumatic Energy Efficiency Module

By Randy DeForge, Festo

Electricity and compressed air play an important role in the thermal and kinetic processes for everything from mixing and extruding the ingredients, deep-freezing to -13°F (-25°C), dipping into various chocolate coatings through to final packaging. Energy efficiency is therefore right at the top of Unilever’s list of priorities. As part of the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan, this global corporation has succeeded in saving more than \$186 million in energy costs from efficiency improvements in production alone since 2008.
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Air Receiver Tank Care Guide, Sizing, Safety and Storage - Part 2

By Derrick Taylor, PneuTech USA

Your air receiver tank works hard to keep your compressed air system running at optimal efficiency. For best results and safe operation, it’s important to make sure you have adequate storage capacity for your application. You also need to take proper care of your tank once it is installed. In this article we provide advice for air receiver tank sizing, safety and storage.
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Dutch Glass Container Plant Compressed Air System Makeover Increases Uptime and Energy Savings

By Mike Grennier, Compressed Air Best Practices® Magazine

To improve the delivery of compressed air at the plant, which is supplied by low-pressure and high-pressure compressed air systems, the manufacturer took an important first step by using airflow meters to monitor and measure the performance of both systems. Subsequent planning based on actionable data led to a unique compressed air system upgrade that increases the plant’s ability to maintain peak production of high quality glass bottles and containers at all times – while saving \$150,000 per year in energy costs. The project also delivered a payback of less than two years.  
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Is Your Controller a Blast From the Past?

By the Compressed Air & Gas Institute

Advances in phone technology dramatically improve their function and our experience. More storage, faster speeds, enhanced communication options, bigger and brighter display….and so on. As a result, today’s phones are significantly more powerful – improving our productivity and changing our lives. As for the technology laggards, obsolescence eventually prompts change. Repairing or replacing parts and accessories on the old phones is an increasing challenge. Eventually they have to succumb to technology.
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How Your Air Receiver Tank Improves System Efficiency - Part 1

By Derrick Taylor, PneuTech USA

 

 

An air receiver tank (sometimes called an air compressor tank or compressed air storage tank) is a type of pressure vessel that receives air from the air compressor and holds it under pressure for future use. The tanks come in a range of sizes and in both vertical and horizontal configurations. An air receiver tank provides temporary storage for compressed air. It also helps your compressed air system run more efficiently.
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Compressed Air Manufacturers and Distributors Rise Above the COVID-19 Crisis

By Mike Grennier, Compressed Air Best Practices® Magazine

As the crisis unfolded, manufacturers and distributors of compressed air and vacuum systems took the necessary steps and precautions using guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and other agencies to minimize the spread of the virus, while continuing to support customers. At all times the top priority was the safety and wellbeing of employees and their families, as well as partners and customers.
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Compressed Air Guidelines for Varying Production Levels

By Paul Humphreys, Atlas Copco Compressors LLC.

Companies will experience periods of increased production, as well as periods of slower or stopped production. It’s the nature of being in business. Understanding the implications of these business shifts for compressed-air installations (the powerhouse behind a facility’s production) is key for ensuring that air compressors remain functional and efficient. Here are guidelines to ensure your facility’s compressed-air system operates at top performance, no matter the speed of production.
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Compressor Controls

Egger Modernizes Its Compressed Air System for the ESG Era
Wood-based materials manufacturing plant transformed its compressed air system from an invisible
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Piping Storage

Sizing Compressed Air Piping to Manage Pressure, Flow and Velocity
Efficient compressed air distribution depends on proper piping design to balance flow, pressure and
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End Uses

Improve Process Efficiency and Reduce Energy Use with Compressed Air Monitoring
Without compressed air monitoring, up to 30% of the compressed air generated goes to waste. This
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Pressure

High-Altitude Mining and Steel Production in Peru
Before CAGI data sheets were created, air compressor distributors and their customers could only go
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Air Treatment/N2

Selecting the Appropriate Nitrogen Gas Purity Level for Your Application
Producing nitrogen locally is an excellent way to reduce nitrogen costs and ensure a continuous
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Leaks

Hyster-Yale Sustainability Recognized by North Carolina DEQ
Hyster-Yale’s Greenville, North Carolina, plant reduced compressed air waste through employee-driven
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Pneumatics

Food Safety Design Tips for Pneumatic Systems
Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMPs) under FSMA CFR Title 21 117.40 is the cornerstone of
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Vacuum/Blowers

The Business Case for Air Compressor Rentals and Air-Over-the-Fence
There is no single right approach to putting the necessary volume and pressure of air in the pipe to
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