Maintaining System Air Quality

"Maintaining the proper air quality level is essential for keeping compressed air energy costs down and to ensure reliable production."

Poor air quality can have a negative effect on production equipment and can increase energy consumption and maintenance needs. The quality of air produced should be guided by the quality required by the end-use equipment. The air quality level is a function of the levels of particulate, moisture, and lubricant contaminants that the end uses can tolerate. Such air quality levels should be determined before deciding whether the air needs additional treatment. Compressed air should be treated appropriately but not more than is required for the end-use application. The higher the quality, the more the air usually costs to produce (in terms of initial capital investment in equipment, energy consumption and maintenance).

Once the true end-use air quality requirements have been determined, the proper air treatment equipment can be configured. Separators, filters, dryers and condensate drains are used to improve compressed air quality. Treatment equipment maintenance is critically important for sustaining the desired air quality levels.

Grouping Equipment with Similar Air Quality Requirements
One strategy to improve air quality is to group end uses having similar air quality requirements in reasonably close proximity and install the appropriate air treatment equipment to serve these end uses with a minimum of distribution piping. Some-times, grouping similar requirements of best quality air together is not always practical; if the requirement for this class is sufficiently high (70% or more of total), consider supplying the entire plant with this air quality level. If practical, separation of groups of end uses requiring similar pressure and air quality also allows some compressors and air treatment equipment to be located close to the end uses.

Filtration
Through proper filtration, appropriate air quality levels can be achieved. Because some end uses may require a higher level of air quality than others, it may not be necessary to have the entire airflow filtered to the highest level of air quality. Filters cause pressure drop that increases as the elements become fouled. Filters should be rated for the maximum anticipated operating pressure, but should be sized for the maximum anticipated rate of flow at the anticipated minimum operating pressure. The three types of compressed air filters (particulate, coalescing, and adsorption) have different functions and must be selected for the appropriate application.

Dryers
Compressed air dryers can be very effective at removing condensate from compressed air. Dryers are of three types: deliquescent, refrigerated, and desiccant. Deliquescent dryers provide a Pressure Dew Point (PDP) of 20°F lower than the dew point of the air entering them. Refrigerated dryers provide a PDP of between 35°F and 38°F and desiccant dryers can provide a PDP as low as -100°F. Dryers should be sized for the maximum anticipated rate of fl ow and must be matched to the air quality requirements. Overdrying wastes energy.

Separators
Moisture separators and condensate traps are used to remove condensate from the air stream. Because the fi rst step in condensate removal is to separate it from the air stream, moisture separators should follow each intercooler and aftercooler.

Condensate Traps
There are four main types of condensate drains: manual, level-operated mechanical (fl oat) traps, electrically-operated solenoid valves and zero-loss traps with reservoirs. Traps should allow removal of condensate, but not compressed air, and should not be left open.

Source: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/industry/bestpractices/pdfs/compressed_air12.pdf