Industrial Utility Efficiency
When selecting an air compressor for your manufacturing operation, the common choice is the industry-standard rotary screw compressor. Known as the work horse of compressed air machinery, the rotary screw compressor comes in a multitude of sizes and power levels. However, centrifugal compressors have seen some exciting technological progress in recent years and offer a wide range of pressures, flow and turndown. Long known for their longevity and durability, they offer higher efficiency, even qualifying for energy rebate programs offered by local utilities and all, notably, produce Class 0 oil free air.
In order for a compressed air system to be designed properly, altitude must be taken into consideration. In order to calculate the demand profile, tool air consumption must also be adjusted for altitude.
Conventionally when we talk about oil lubricated screw air compressor maintenance, it is mostly about replacing consumables such as filters and lubricant on time. While these consumables have a defined usable life and have a direct effect on the efficiency and the life of the air compressor itself when not replaced on time, there are a few critical valves in the air compressor that require maintenance as well.
Just as many ambient air issues with regard to the actual equipment operating environment are created by personnel and can be corrected by personnel, inlet air contamination is always created by humans and there is almost always a correction that will either eliminate the issue or mitigate the effect.
Growing awareness of the importance of food grade lubricants for consumer safety and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulations, as well as increasing consciousness about Kosher and Halal registrations triggered an increasing demand for high performance food grade lubricants.
Uptime. Profitability. Quality. Sustainability. Those goals are shared by leading manufacturers who have another thing in common: They use compressed air to achieve their goals, which is why those who make, sell and service compressed air systems say anything less than top-notch training of sales engineers is unthinkable considering how the sales team directly influences whether a compressed air system will fall woefully short, or deliver immeasurable value for years on end.
Room temperature, or ambient temperature, has a significant effect on plant operation. The amount of space, or lack thereof, for compressed air equipment and the cooling flow all have an important impact on plant operation; because if the air compressors are down; so are you!
The purity of the compressed air that contacts finished goods and their packaging is scrutinized more than ever before. As a result, oil-free air compressors comprise a larger segment of the compressed air market than ever before. In fact, Grand View Research, Inc. projects a CAGR of 4.8% for the oil-free market as compared to a CAGR of 3.8% for the market as a whole (2019-2025).
Freezing temperatures can have negative effects on your reciprocating air compressor, dryer, and many accessories. One of the best practices to adopt is keeping a detailed maintenance log. At the end of each season, take note of the condition your equipment is in, and address it promptly using the manufacturer’s instructions to keep it operating smoothly and efficiently.
When facilities look to improving sustainability, they tend to focus first on traditional energy utilities – natural gas, heating oil, electricity and water. As facilities achieve greater sustainability through efficiencies that reduce utility energy waste and minimize the plant’s carbon footprint, they begin to focus on other energy sources, including compressed air, to enhance sustainability efforts.
The information contained in this article, will help the operator to assess his/her systems, and identify where these systems fall within a three-level category. There are many ways, and opportunities to make a compressed air system produce reliable and good quality air. The three levels discussed here could also be characterized as a “continuous improvement plan” which can be achieved over the course of time, and with the occasional investment of money.
