Technology

Safe Compressed Air Drying Systems for Class I, Division 1 Environments

By Jess Elley, Product Marketing Manager, Suburban Manufacturing Group – Tsunami Compressed Air Solutions

Learn how engineers can safely remove moisture from compressed air systems in hazardous environments by eliminating ignition risks through pneumatic controls. This article explores design considerations, performance characteristics and reliability factors for regenerative desiccant dryers operating in Class I, Division 1 locations.

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Rotary Screw Booster Advances for Blow Molding

By Manoj Purohit, Product Marketing Manager (High Pressure Air/Gases), Atlas Copco Compressors

Compressed air boosters are engineered to amplify medium-pressure air (90–150 psig) to high-pressure ranges up to 435 psig (30 barg) using oil-free rotary screw technology, IE5 permanent magnet motors and advanced VSD+ drivetrains for improved turndown and energy efficiency. By combining Class 0 oil-free air quality, synchronous PM motor performance (up to 97% efficiency) and intelligent controls, next-generation booster systems deliver higher flow stability, reduced specific energy consumption and seamless integration into existing compressed air networks.

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Designer Furniture Manufacturer Reduces Compressed Air Costs by 20%

By Cynthia Kuiper, Operations Director, VPInstruments

After a sudden air compressor failure exposed hidden inefficiencies, a furniture manufacturer launched a comprehensive compressed air system audit. Using advanced flow, pressure, dew point and energy monitoring, the assessment revealed aging equipment, piping restrictions and costly air leaks across the factory. A full system upgrade combined with continuous compressed air monitoring reduced energy consumption by 20%, improved reliability and delivered a two-year payback.

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Demystifying the Myths of Centrifugal Air Compressors

By Centrifugal Compressor Section, Compressed Air and Gas Institute

Centrifugal air compressors are widely used in industrial compressed air systems, yet misconceptions remain regarding capacity control, surge behavior, and operational complexity. This article provides a technical overview of modern centrifugal compressor design, explaining how inlet guide vanes, bypass controls, and microprocessor-based algorithms enable efficient operation across varying demand while mitigating surge. It clarifies proper application and sizing considerations to help engineers and plant operators make informed equipment decisions.

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Advanced Compressor Technologies Solves Oversupply Problem

By Troy Dreier, Senior Editor, Compressed Air Best Practices® Magazine

A Southern Indiana office furniture plant was wasting hundreds of dollars per day because its oversized VSD air compressor could not turn down low enough to match reduced demand after a shift to metal fabrication. To avoid drive faults, the plant vented compressed air to create false load. The audit revealed 300 cfm of wasted air—about $400 per day—and led to a redesigned system using a fixed-speed compressor for base load and a VSD unit for trim. The new configuration eliminated artificial demand and cut compressed air energy use in half, setting the stage for further savings through advanced sequencing, storage, and demand control.

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Lubricant Analysis Improves Air Compressor Reliability

By Dave Brockett, Senior Business Development Manager, AMSOIL Industrial

Effective lubricant analysis delivers substantial and proven ROI measured in increased productivity, oil drain intervals and equipment life. With disciplined deployment and technical oversight, lubricant analysis transforms maintenance from reactive to predictive, aligning with industry best practices and RCM principles.

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Egger Modernizes Its Compressed Air System for the ESG Era

By Graham Coats, Director of Strategic Product and Business Development, CMC

Wood-based materials manufacturing plant transformed its compressed air system from an invisible utility into a data-driven energy asset by deploying a modern, multi-zone monitoring and control platform. The upgrade delivered real-time transparency, ISO 50001- and ESG-ready reporting, and verified annual savings of 1.43 GWh, \$166,500 and 889 tons of CO2.

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Best Practices 2025 EXPO & Conference Show Report

By Troy Dreier, Senior Editor and Brooke Jones, Digital Content Editor, Compressed Air Best Practices® Magazine

The Best Practices 2025 EXPO & Conference was the busiest one yet, with 89 presentations, 84 exhibitors and nearly 1,000 registered attendees. It included two conference tracks, five workshops and five EXPO classroom pavilions. The event was so big, we’re splitting our show report into three reports to capture all the activity.

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Hitachi Celebrates 60 Years of Sullair Air Compressors

By Roderick Smith, Publisher, and Troy Dreier, Senior Editor, Compressed Air Best Practices® Magazine

In this article: We sat down with Hideki Fujimoto, President and CEO of Hitachi Global Air Power Timeline: Major Moments from Sullair’s 60-Year Journey A Picnic 60 Years in the Making Manufacturing in the Midwest: A Conversation with Andy Fayyad

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The Business Case for Air Compressor Rentals and Air-Over-the-Fence

By Matt Piedmonte, Vice President and General Manager, Americas, Aerzen Rental Solutions

There is no single right approach to putting the necessary volume and pressure of air in the pipe to meet production needs. There is a place for purchasing assets, there is a place for renting assets and there is a place for an AOF contract. Just as the business models around these assets change, so do the needs of an industrial plant. This article aims to explore these options and explore some of the pros and cons associated with different methods.

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Selecting the Right Compressed Air Dryer for Any Application

By Jayme Leonard, Digital Marketing Specialist, Atlas Copco Compressors

With a vast selection of compressed air dryer technologies and varying operating conditions, how do you determine which option works best for your plant?

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