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Showing posts from November, 2010

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