Industrial Utility Efficiency

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.

Read Full Story

The Basics of Sizing a Centrifugal Air Compressor

By the Compressed Air & Gas Institute

Properly sizing a compressed air system can help determine if your facility has enough air to adequately supply your production equipment. Designing a cost effective system that minimizes any interruptions to productivity requires thoughtful planning and design. Typically, the desired outcomes of such a system focus on stable pressure and efficient operation, though it is important to note that each of these elements requires a unique solution. This article will provide guidance in proper selection considerations and suggest when a centrifugal air compressor may be ideal for your needs.
[ Read Full Story ]

Tier 1 Automotive Supplier Saves Energy Upgrading Centrifugal Air Compressor Controls

By Stephen Parry, Bay Controls

A Tier 1 automotive supplier was concerned its compressed air system was not operating as efficiently as it could be. The situation called for a site visit and metering and evaluation of the company’s air compressors to generate a representative data sample that accurately captured the compressed air needs during typical production and non-production periods.
[ Read Full Story ]

Extend Air Compressor Life with Proper Preventive Maintenance

By Derrick Taylor, PneuTech, USA

When you take care of your air compressor, it will continue to take care of you. Following the recommended preventive maintenance procedures as outlined by the manufacturer will extend the life of your air compressor, save energy costs and reduce the risk of unexpected downtime. Here’s what facility managers should know about air compressor preventive maintenance — and when to call the experts.
[ Read Full Story ]

What’s Possible When Operating Rotary Screw Air Compressors in Hot Ambient Conditions?

By Sullair

There are times when rotary screw air compressors must operate in high ambient temperatures, leaving questions about the impact on these vital machines. What follows is an overview of what’s possible in these conditions, along with advice for ensuring the optimal performance of these air compressors in hot ambient conditions. Although all air compressors compress air, there is a difference in how centrifugal, oil flooded rotary screw, oil free rotary screw, piston and scroll machines compress air. Because this article focuses on rotary screw air compressors, it’s important to know the difference between oil free and oil flooded air compressors. This can be understood in part by looking at the actual air compressor component, which is often referred to the “airend”. 
[ Read Full Story ]

Care for Your Air: A Guide to Air Compressor Maintenance

By Zack Barnes, Sauer Compressors USA

Your industrial compressed air and gas system constitutes a major investment and a significant contributor to operating efficiently and productively. Keeping your air compressor in peak condition should be high on your list of maintenance activities. Fortunately, these industrial workhorses do not require a lot of costly or time-consuming resources to keep performing year after year. Still, performing a few routine checks, tests, cleanings, and adjustments will go a long way toward keeping your air and gas compressors in fine condition, generating a host of benefits.
[ Read Full Story ]

A Technician’s Guide to Lubricant Base Stocks

By Isel Inc.

Lubricants play a critical role in the safe, efficient, and a reliable operation of oil-flooded rotary screw air compressors. There are many factors to contemplate during the selection process, such as inlet air quality, temperature, and cost. One key factor often not given enough consideration is how the selected product will affect the maintenance cycle, and how these costs can be put into perspective. Presented here a review of available options, and how base stock selection can affect the maintenance of an air compressor.
[ Read Full Story ]

Lubricant Chemistry and Oil/Water Separator Performance

By SA Performance

Air compressors can produce a lot of water. Humidity in ambient air, once compressed, results in much of this water falling out, which we know as condensate. On a warm and humid summer day with inlet air temperatures of 80°F, a 75-horsepower (hp) air compressor running fully loaded can produce over 25 gallons of condensate in just one eight-hour shift, with another five gallons being produced once the compressed air is sent through a dryer. The compression process allows for the air, water vapor, and lubricating fluids to mix. Once the condensate leaves the system, trace amounts of lubricant travel with it. This condensate should be processed through an oil-water separator before being discharged to groundwater or wastewater treatment plants.
[ Read Full Story ]

Heat of Compression: A Major Energy Recovery Opportunity Often Ignored

By Hank van Ormer, APenergy

Often when you mention heat of compression the first thought generally relates to HOC desiccant dryers, which are also an under-applied opportunity for heat recovery. However, there are many other heat of compression recoverable energy savings opportunities in all compressed air and gas systems. This article reviews many opportunities in energy heat recovery and provides answer to commonly asked question.
[ Read Full Story ]

How to Avoid Control Gap with VFD Rotary Screw Air Compressors

By Tim Dugan, P.E., Compression Engineering Corporation

Air compressors need to be matched to load effectively and efficiently. If the air compressors’ range of variation can’t be matched to the system variation, instability and/or inefficiency can result. This article discusses the problem when it isn’t matched, which is called “control gap” and what to do to avoid it.
[ Read Full Story ]

Air Compressors

Best Practices 2024 EXPO & Conference Show Report
From October 29-31, 2024, professionals who operate, maintain and design industrial compressed air,
More Articles ›

Air Treatment/N2

Leland Brewing Adopts Modular Nitrogen Generation
A modular nitrogen generation system integrated with compressed air infrastructure enabled on-site
More Articles ›

Blowers

Fayetteville Wastewater Treatment Plant Lowers Operational Costs, Increases Efficiencies
The plant upgrades, in combination with a progressive management strategy, allows the plant to
More Articles ›

Compressor Controls

Hitting the Gas on Efficient Compressed Air Delivery at Hitachi Astemo
Hitachi Astemo’s efficiency gains will turn into significant cost savings. In this article we
More Articles ›

Instrumentation

Pressure Dew Point Monitoring: The Key to ISO 8573-1 Compliance
The ISO 8573-1 standard defines clear limits for various compressed air quality parameters. This
More Articles ›

Pneumatics

Improving the Efficiency of Pumping Systems through Pump System Optimization
The U.S. Department of Energy’s 2002 Motor Market Assessment established that pumping systems offer
More Articles ›

Vacuum

Advanced Vacuum Generation Reduces Maintenance
Industrial ceramics have been produced in Hermsdorf, near Jena, since 1890. In the past, high
More Articles ›

Cooling Systems

The AIM Act’s Impact on HFC Gases
The AIM (American Innovation and Manufacturing) Act was finalized by the US government at the end of
More Articles ›