Industrial Energy Savings    

Piping/Storage

Pressure-Flow Control: It’s More Than Stabilizing Pressure
By Bob Wilson, PEMCO Services, for the Compressed Air Challenge®
The Compressed Air Challenge® Fundamentals and Advanced training discuss the benefits of using central controllers to efficiently control system compressors. These systems are called “System Master” controls. Modern day System Master Controls use advanced technologies to network air compressors in a preprogrammed sequence. A properly configured network with the right size and type of trim compressor can typically hold the supply air pressure in a tight band of +/- 2 psi. Because of this capability, many users feel the application of System Master Control negates the benefit of applying Pressure-Flow Control to stabilize the plant air pressure.
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Demand (Dry) Storage Part 2. Application and Use in an Efficient Compressed Air System
By Ron Nordby, Vice President Sales and Marketing, John Henry Foster
In continuation of our series examining the application of storage in a compressed air system, this article will focus on another type of supply side storage concept: demand (dry) storage. Before discussing the definition, application and use of demand storage, I would like to reiterate that contrary to current thought, consideration should be given to control (wet) and demand (dry) storage being separate storage solutions based on their primary purpose
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Compressor Inlet Piping
By Hank Van Ormer, Air Power USA
The subject of compressed air piping has probably had more pages written about it than any other topic, even storage. Like many other topics in “practical” compressed air technology, a significant portion of this is controversial and often directly opposed.
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Six Applications for Compressed Air Storage
By Dean E. Smith, iZ Systems
There are many ways to use storage in a compressed air system to improve the performance and repeatability of production equipment. No one method is a total solution. Some industry professionals will tell you that storage is not required for certain types of compressors. The system, however, can not afford the impact on either performance or operating costs. The alternative to applying storage is to operate at higher pressures with more power all of the time in order to support critical applications and the peak air demand experienced in the system.
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Control (Wet) Storage – a Misunderstood Concept
By Ron Nordby, Vice President Sales and Marketing, John Henry Foster
While control storage was originally an integral component of a reciprocating air compressor installation, this article will only briefly explore that application. The content of this article will focus instead on rotary screw installations since the rotary screw air compressor has essentially replaced the reciprocating as the compressor of choice in industrial applications. It should also be noted that in compressed air systems where reciprocating and rotary screw air compressors are operating together, control storage should always be utilized.
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Reducing Compressed Air Demand at a Packaging Plant
By Hank Van Ormer, Air Power USA
This food container plant spends $1,028,672 annually on energy to operate the compressed air system at their facility. This figure will increase as electric rates are projected to be raised from their current average of 6.2 cents per kWh. The set of projects identified in the compressed air system assessment could reduce these energy costs by $616,000 per year (49%). Estimated costs for completing the supply and demand-side projects total $525,000. These costs are offset by having qualified for utility company energy incentives of $425,000. After the incentives, this project delivered a simple ROI of two (2) months.
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Kellogg’s Eggo Decreases Energy Consumption by over 675,000 kWh
By Patricia Boyd, Ecos Air
This article describes a compressed air retrofit project implemented at Kellogg’s Eggo factory located in San Jose, California. Kellogg’s continues to realize both annual energy savings and quality improvements because of the upgrade. In addition, Kellogg’s received a substantial utility incentive from Pacific Gas and Electric Company, which was based on the achieved energy savings.
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Tolko’s Paper Mill and Saw Mill Save $215,000 per year
By Ron Marshall, Manitoba Hydro
Power Smart® efficiency measures for compressed air systems at Tolko’s paper mill and sawmill at The Pas are saving the company more than $125,000 a year.  
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Matching the Supply and Demand in a Compressed Air System
By Bob Wilson, PEMCO Services for the Compressed Air Challenge®
Production processes get their energy from the air stored at higher pressure in the piping distribution system. The air compressors simply replenish the air that is consumed. It is an important distinction to make. The energy input in compressing the air is supplied to the connecting pipes for delivery to the various demands throughout the facility.
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A View From Canada. Tembec Sawmill and Pneu-Logic Stabilize Pressure
By Rod Smith, Compressed Air Best Practices®
Pneumatic air cylinders play a major role in allowing a modern sawmill to produce at the high-speed production rates required. Stable air pressure is critical to allow the air cylinders to respond in a timely manner and avoid any production delays.
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A View From Southeast Asia. A Pharmaceutical System Assessment
By Gary Wamsley, JoGar Energy & Utility Services
We conducted a comprehensive compressed air system assessment. Opportunities to improve the system were found in the main piping system, in reducing pressure losses in the mold machine piping, and with the high ambient temperatures found in the compressor room. We estimated energy savings of 403,500 kWh per year for a power savings of $65,000 per year. The total projects costs were $48,000 for a simple ROI of nine (9) months.
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