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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The CABP Interview: Hitachi Global Air Power President and CEO John Randall on the Sullair TS Series

By Troy Dreier, Compressed Air Best Practices® Magazine

Roderick Smith, publisher of Compressed Air Best Practices® Magazine, sat down with Hitachi Global Air Power President and CEO John Randall for a one-on-one interview. Topics include air compressor advances, the need for water-efficient solutions and meeting needs for a variety of customers and industries.

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CFM Air Equipment Empowers Customers Through Education

By Brooke Jones, Compressed Air Best Practices® Magazine

CFM Air Equipment is a Kaeser Compressors Canada distributor for Southern Alberta and Southern Saskatchewan, and a distributor for Chicago Pneumatic at its Manitoba branch. It works with clients of all sizes, and serves oil and gas, mining, hydro, agriculture, building maintenance, government, fertilizer and power industries.

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Selecting the Optimal Dew Point Sensor for Compressed Air Dryers

By Simon Gleissner, Managing Director, SUTO iTEC

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.

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The 2024 AICD Show Report

By Bill Smith, Compressed Air Best Practices® Magazine

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.

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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.

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Festo’s Smart Proximity Switch Commissions Itself

By David Gersovitz

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.

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Air Cannon Innovations in Preheater Towers

By Brad Pronschinske, Director of Air Cannons Business Group, Martin Engineering

An essential part of the cement production process is the consistent flow of bulk materials, as poor material flow can put a stranglehold on a plant’s profitability. Accumulations in storage systems and process vessels can choke material movement, causing bottlenecks that create expensive obstacles to equipment performance and process efficiency. Poor material flow also raises maintenance expenses, diverting manpower from core activities. If they become severe enough, flow problems can bring production to a complete stop.

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Improving the Efficiency of Pumping Systems through Pump System Optimization

By Matthew Derner, Manager, Business Development, Pump System Programs, The Hydraulic Institute

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.

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Defining the Purity of Facility Generated Nitrogen Gas

By the Compressed Air & Gas Institute

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.

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Improve Process Efficiency and Reduce Energy Use with Compressed Air Monitoring

By Hendrik Priemer, Product Manager IIoT Applications, Machine Automation, Emerson

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%.

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