Posts

Showing posts from 2010

Factors Governing the Selection of Compressed Air Filters

Image
Compressed air filters are designed to remove air borne particles from a moving, pressurized air stream. Compressed air purification equipment is essential to all modern production facilities; at its best, the equipment should provide the optimum balance between air quality and low operating cost. There are numerous manufacturers offering products for the filtration and purification of air; compressed air filter costs cover a wide range - but initial purchase cost cannot always indicate the effectiveness of a piece of equipment. In assessing the suitability of the product, the purchaser will want to assess: delivered air quality required by their application environmental impact of use overall cost of operation over the life of the equipment One way to make these assessments is to compare the performance standards of the different manufacturers' products according to the standards that apply via ISO (the International Standards Organisation) under which there are a series of

How to Make Your Industrial Air Compressor Operate More Efficiently

Image
It's no secret in the industrial world that compressed air is the least efficient form of energy used on a shop floor. Dollar for dollar, the cost of producing pneumatic energy for various machinery functions is staggering. Unfortunately, a rotary screw air compressor is very inefficient by design. Electricity enters the factory from the utility pole and does not produce energy until it has turned the rotary screw compressor, pressurized the air lines, proceed through the shop to its intended destination, and then finally producing movement or action via a pneumatic cylinder or device. This complex and elaborate system has many opportunities for waste. The key to conserving energy and producing the most useful pneumatic energy for the least amount of money is analysis and observation. Many inefficiencies can be corrected once they have been identified. An air compressor is not just a machine. Since the air compressor produces energy it should be treated as a system, hence the

Variable Speed Compressors

Variable Speed Compressors are also know as variable speed drive compressors, and are air compressors that take advantage of variable speed drive technology. They employ a special drive which controls the RPM (Revolutions Per Minute) speed of the compressor, and this in turn saves energy when compared to its fixed speed equivalent. The most common form used in the air compressor industry uses a variable-frequency drive , and this is used to convert the AC input power to DC and then back to a quasi-sinusoidal AC power, with the use of an inverter switching circuit. The main benefits are, reduced power cost, reduced power surges, and the delivery of more constant pressure. The downside is the heavy expense of the drive and their sensitivity to heat and moisture. They combine a speed inverter, which converts the AC signal to DC and speeds up or slows down the motor, with a pressure transducer to precisely match the compressed air output to demand. The energy efficiency of these co

Top 7 Compressed Air Energy Saving Tips

Would you like to reduce electrical costs related to your compressed air system? More than likely - you can. Start by determining your annual compressed air electrical costs by using this formula: Brake Horse Power X 0.746 X Annual Hours of Operation X KWH (Kilowatt-Hour) Cost (divided by) Motor Efficiency NOTE: 1 CFM (Cubit Feet per Minute) @ 100 PSIG (pound-force per square inch gauge) FOR 8760 HOURS COST $110.00 PER YEAR IN ELECTRICAL COST Next...follow these Top 7 Compressed Air Energy Saving Tips: 1. Fix your Air Leaks If you do nothing else - follow this one tip: Find and fix your compressed air leaks. Air leaks are industrys' "biggest looser"! The average plant loses 20% to 30% it its compressed air through multiple small air leaks. The money spent on man power and parts to find and fix these leaks is well worth it. Note (a 1/4 inch hole will flow 103 cfm @ 100 psig) 2. Change to Synthetic Lubricants If you are using petroleum based lubricants, yo

What is Contaminating Your Compressed Air?

"Clean, dry, oil free compressed air and gas is a basic need for many industries" One drop of unwanted oil can cause an entire automated process to malfunction. It can cause seals in pneumatic valves and cylinders to swell, resulting in sluggish operation - or in worst cases, complete seizure of moving parts. Three things that can contaminate your compressed air system and ruin your product or processes. 1) Solid particles come from ambient air contaminants like dust and from rusted, oxidized pipework. They will cause pneumatic equipment to malfunction, cause instrument and control failures, and contaminate end products. 2) Condensed water droplets come from the humidity in ambient air. Water will oxidize pipework and pneumatic equipment, ruin paint finishes and end products. 3) Liquid oil and oil vapors are introduced by compressor lubricants and by hydrocarbon vapors present in ambient air. Oil-free compressed air is particularly important in food and pharmaceutical