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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Milk Plant Deploys the Second Stage of Energy Savings

By John Molnar, P.E., Rogers Machinery Company

Yearly energy reduction quotas drive utilities, plant, and energy managers to continue to reduce energy consumption in all areas. A frequent question asked is, “Where can we find more energy savings once we have a VFD compressor and we have fixed all our leaks?”

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Sterile Compressed Air Filters Remove Bacteria

By Peter Gray, Air Solutions Canada

When compressed air comes into direct contact with a product, many applications believe their “standard” particulate and coalescing oil-removing filters, installed either side of a compressed air dryer, are sufficient to protect the downstream processes. Strangely enough, the removal of bacteria is often overlooked, despite this level of filtration being readily available, easy to procure, install and maintain.

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Nitrogen Characteristics and Benefits of On-Site Generation

By the Compressed Air & Gas Institute

Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) accounts for a significant amount of nitrogen usage in the food and beverage industry. MAP involves injecting nitrogen into beverage or food packaging to purge and displace any oxygen-containing air with nitrogen. Oxidation of lipids in food products causes rancidity. Since oxygen is replaced with dry, inert nitrogen in MAP packaging, no product oxidation will occur. The result is maximized product shelf life.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

By 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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