Technology

This article will examine the key considerations for selecting the most suitable dew point sensor for a compressed air dryer system, with the objective of achieving optimal performance and reliability.

The Association of Independent Compressor Distributors (AICD) held its annual event at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada, in April 2024. Participating distributor members and guests enjoyed a few days of networking events, the AICD trade show, speakers, the AICD Golf Tournament and more. 

There are indeed rewards for machine builders who sweat the small stuff. The latest iterations of many tiny but essential components like sensors, cameras and switches can pack a great deal of innovation for their diminutive size. 

The U.S. Department of Energy’s 2002 Motor Market Assessment established that pumping systems offer the greatest optimization potential of all types of fluid systems, with potential savings up to 75% and an average net savings of 20.1%. In this article, The Hydraulic Institute defines the steps for a pump system optimization.

While oxygen is unquestionably the most important gas in our atmosphere, as it is essential for most animals and human life, nitrogen is the most widely used atmospheric gas.  Nitrogen is the go-to gas for countless industrial, medical, and scientific applications. This is because nitrogen is in vast supply, inert, and possesses the desirable characteristics of being colorless, odorless, and tasteless. The purity of nitrogen significantly affects the outcome of the application for which it is used and how the industry measures the purity of nitrogen gas is the focus of this article.       

Without compressed air monitoring, up to 30% of the compressed air generated goes to waste. This waste occurs for several reasons, including leaks caused by failures at joints and tubes, exposure to vibration and normal component wear, and the suboptimization of machines and devices. Continuous monitoring capabilities allow operators to detect leaks and other anomalies in their early stages. By addressing pneumatic issues before they can grow, companies can reduce compressed air use by 20% to 30%. 
 

Do you know and track the annual generated nitrogen energy cost per SCFM? Do you know what factors drive this value and what action you can take to control the optimum lower levels? In this article we intend to illustrate the magnitude of potential wasted energy dollars when the compressed air system and the on-site nitrogen generation system are not properly monitored and controlled.

The AIM (American Innovation and Manufacturing) Act was finalized by the US government at the end of 2021. This legislation introduced a phase-down plan for virgin HFC gases. From now through 2036, the US will reduce the production and importation of virgin HFCs by granting relevant businesses a set number of HFC allowances (or quota), which will decrease over time. 

One of the components frequently included in a reciprocating air compressor is an air receiver, often referred to as an air tank.  Proper air storage is a critical component of intermittent duty cycle because for brief moments, the system can provide more compressed air than would otherwise be provided by the compressor pump. The capacity of compressed air piping also contributes to the total capacity of the air storage system.

Centrifugal air compressors are known for reliable longevity, but at some point, end- of- serviceable- life decisions must be made. Your centrifugal compressor has been the lifeblood of the factory for upwards of twenty-five years, or longer, but it is finally showing signs of giving up the ghost. Much like when the aging family automobile continues to rack up increasingly more expensive repair bills, operators of aging centrifugal compressors face the decision to repair or replace the machine when the maintenance costs reach a certain threshold.