Technology

ASHRAE 90.1 Brings New Requirements to Compressed Air System Design

By Troy Dreier, Compressed Air Best Practices® Magazine

Word is beginning to filter out about the 2022 changes to the ASHRAE 90.1 energy efficiency standard, and the changes it promises to bring to how compressed air systems are specified, commissioned and maintained. More specifically, the industry is learning about section 10.4.6 of 90.1, which is the first time the standard has included a section on compressed air.

Read Full Story

Measurement Principles for Compressed Air System KPIs

By Pascal van Putten, CEO, VPInstruments

In this article we clarify how the main KPIs can be monitored, and we will have a closer look at a few key KPIs: efficiency, pressure loss and leakage. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are variables or measures by which the performance of organizations, machines and/or processes can be measured and analysed in a targeted manner. For example, a KPI can be a certain production number per time unit, but also the amount of profit a company makes on a specific product.

[ Read Full Story ]

Choosing a Cooling Tower for Your Application – Crossflow or Counterflow?

By Eric Rasmussen, Senior Product Manager, SPX Cooling Technologies, Inc.

With efficient heat exchange an important requirement in the design of an HVAC system, the type of cooling tower you specify to support your project’s unique cooling goals requires careful consideration. After determining the process parameters required for your application – tonnage, range, and approach – cooling tower capabilities can be analyzed.

[ Read Full Story ]

Achieving “Technically Oil-Free” Compressed Air

By David Swartz, Gulf Coast Regional Sales Manager, Sauer Compressors USA

In this article we will discuss how to achieve actual oil-free air from your air compressor, no matter what type of air compressor it is. Air compressors of all designs turn mechanical power into pneumatic power by successively concentrating air across compression stages. A rotary screw air compressor, for example, utilizes rotating helical screws to drive air forward, increasing its pressure by reducing the volume of space the air mass takes up. Mechanical compression of this nature takes quite the force and energy to accomplish, which equates to heat generation and physical wear inside of the compressor.

[ Read Full Story ]

Microbiological Testing Considerations for Compressed and High Risk Ambient Air Systems in Food Plants

By Charles Giambrone, M.S., Vice President Technical Services, Food Safety Division, Rochester Midland Corporation

Micro-aerosolized droplets are how many members of the microbial world become cross-contaminants via the air mode of transmission. Food borne viral pathogen Hepatitis A and the ubiquitous Norwalk are very often transported via micro- aerosols. It is well known that many viral or bacterial pathogens or spoilers are transmitted via respiratory bursts [coughs/ sneezes] from people or air handling system, condensate, and splash back from floors. Strict cGMPs can limit and control transmission in terms of personal & environmental hygiene.

[ Read Full Story ]

Reciprocating Air Compressor Maintenance

By the Compressed Air & Gas Institute

Reciprocating/piston air compressors have many moving parts and regular maintenance is an essential practice. This ensures all compressor components function at peak efficiency as well as for preventing wear that can ultimately lead to premature failure. The following tips can serve as a guide for safe, reliable, and economical reciprocating compressor operation and maintenance.

[ Read Full Story ]

Air Compressor Lubricant Tracing for Quality

By Michael Parker, SA Performance

Batch tracing is a critical process for any business that is interested in quality management. The importance of this process goes well beyond the manufacturing stages of a product. As it relates to air compressor lubricants, the ability to trace a product throughout its useful life, has a direct impact on the distribution and servicing organizations that use these products in the field. Service contractors, distributors, resellers, and even online wholesalers all have a responsibility to both protect themselves from liability, as well as their customers, by ensuring that traceability systems are in place and maintained down to the end user.

[ Read Full Story ]

Reciprocating Air Compressors Ideal for Intermittent Duty Cycle Applications

By the Compressed Air & Gas Institute

Reciprocating air compressors are designed for variable up and down duty cycle applications as the full power of the compressor is available when needed. When demand stops, a reciprocating compressor shuts off automatically to reduce consumption of power. In selected cases where the high demand for air is short term, a tank mounted system provides air flow bursts that exceed the capacity of the compressor by using stored up compressed air from the tank.

[ Read Full Story ]

Wonderful Pistachios & Almonds™ Optimizes Piping and Air Compressor Automation

By Tyler Costa, ALD, Inc.

The Wonderful Pistachios and Almonds campus in Lost Hills, California is a manufacturing facility that processes and packages pistachios and almonds for the consumer market. Food processing requires extensive use of compressed air to control multiple applications ranging from actuators, valves, optical sorters, packaging equipment and plant maintenance operations. The campus has its peak season during harvest in late August/early September, but processing and packaging operations take place year-round.

[ Read Full Story ]

How to Size and Maintain Oil Free Compressed Air Systems

By Nav Sharma, Sullair

When users consider adding an oil free air compressor to their facility, there are several factors that should go into the decision to ensure it is the right equipment for the user’s operation. Some considerations and factors can include why to choose oil free to begin with; how to properly select and size the compressor; how to adjust sizing for different cooling water conditions or different ambient temperatures; and what it will take to maintain the compressor throughout its lifespan. To lay a foundation, it is important to first understand why oil free air is important, how compressed air is used and what options are on the market.

[ Read Full Story ]

Meat Processor Improves Uptime, Saves Costs with Compressed Air System Upgrade

By Mike Grennier, Compressed Air Best Practices® Magazine

For decades, a major meat processor and packaging operation in Northern England did what many growing companies do when more compressed air is needed to meet demand: added another air compressor and then another air compressor and so on. Yet the company decided the strategy of adding equipment had run its course, especially given a positive outlook for continued growth and the need to resolve nagging issues with system downtime and compressed air quality.

[ Read Full Story ]