Utilities: Maximize Your Air Supply

March 19, 2018
Proper air preparation and maintenance is fairly simple and very cost-effective.

You’ve got the right compressor and you’ve specified the right pneumatic tools for each task that compressor powers. But you haven’t maximized efficiency yet. Ten percent to 30% of all energy consumed by the average industrial facility is used to generate compressed air, so you want to be sure you’re getting value for that money – high productivity and minimal waste.

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Once you’ve right-sized the compressor and tools, where else can you look for efficiencies? Try looking at the air delivery system between the compressor and the tool. Managing air quality and delivery can prolong equipment life, extend maintenance cycles, and reduce energy consumption. Here’s how.

Air preparation: Room for improvement

Air leaving a compressor usually contains water, compressor oil, dirt, rust, pipe scale, and/or other foreign material, and compressing the air concentrates these contaminants. This creates several potential problems:

  • Improper or erratic tool operation
  • Premature tool wear and failure
  • Shortened component life
  • Reduced capacity
  • Formation of rust and sludge in the main and branch lines
  • Higher operating costs for compressed air

Read the rest of this article from our sister publication Plant Services.

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