Industrial Utility Efficiency

Air Compressors

Best Practices 2024 EXPO & Conference Show Report

By Troy Dreier, Senior Editor, and Brooke Jones, Digital Content Editor, Compressed Air Best Practices® Magazine 

From October 29-31, 2024, professionals who operate, maintain and design industrial compressed air, vacuum, blower, nitrogen generation, process cooling and HVAC systems gathered at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta, GA, for the 6th annual Best Practices 2024 EXPO & Conference. The event featured two tracks of conference presentations and panels.

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The Stage is Set for Growth of Doosan Bobcat Industrial Air Compressors

By Mike Grennier, Compressed Air Best Practices® Magazine

To continue meeting demand for air compressors, Doosan Bobcat invested heavily in U.S. manufacturing facilities including its one-million-square-foot manufacturing operation in Statesville, North Carolina. The $70 million expansion of the facility amplified its operations, where it now employs 930 people in office and factory positions and manufactures its line of portable air compressors from 185 cfm to 1,600 cfm, in addition to other Bobcat products like compact tractors, generators, light towers and mini track loaders. It also assembles and stocks the expanding line of Doosan Bobcat industrial air compressors.
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The 2023 AICD Show Report

By Bill Smith and Roderick Smith, Compressed Air Best Practices® Magazine 

“The AICD enjoyed a record turnout of exhibitors,” said Jeff Brennan, President, AICD. “We’ve added over 20 member companies this year and our membership again has delivered a strong turnout at this year’s event.” Participating distributor members and guests enjoyed a few days of networking events, trade show, speakers, the AICD Golf Tournament and more.
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Evaluating Air Compressor Cooling and Heat Recovery Part 1

By Hank Van Ormer, Technical Director, APenergy

This is a two-part article looking at factors impacting decisions on whether to use air or water-cooled air compressors. It also provides heat recovery guidelines for both situations. Part 1 will provide a brief history on air compressor cooling, a review of cooling water sources and costs, and some cooling cost comparisons between air and water-cooled air compressors.
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Good Things in Store as Hitachi Global Air Power Takes Shape

By Mike Grennier, Compressed Air Best Practices® Magazine

When Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Co., Ltd. (HIES) announced Sullair, Hitachi, and Champion Compressors (Australia) have come together under the umbrella of Hitachi Global Air Power (HGAP), many wondered what it would all mean. 
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Ceramics Plant Deploys a New Air Compressor Heat Recovery System

By Mateusz Bartczak, ASFI

An air compressor is synonymous with an electric heater – providing compressed air as a side effect. 85-90% of the electrical energy taken in by the air compressor is converted into heat, while the maximum efficiency of compressed air generation is less than 10%. In air compressor heat recovery systems, the focus is on capturing the heat energy contained in the oil, as up to 80% of the energy extracted from the power plant is found there.
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Centrifugal Air Compressor Maintenance: The Importance of OEM Parts

By the Compressed Air & Gas Institute

Aftermarket genuine parts ensure that the compressed air system will continue to meet the requirements it was engineered to achieve. Replacement parts must fit the compressor correctly so that operation continues to function properly. Parts that are not fitted properly could affect the function of the unit downstream.
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Hannover Messe 2023 Show Report

By Roderick M. Smith, Editor, Compressed Air Best Practices® Magazine

The 2023 Hannover Messe was held April 17-21 at the Fairgrounds in Hannover, Germany. I have been visiting this event, since 1992, and it’s great to see old friends, new companies and the latest company and technology developments of firms in the compressed air industry. This article will provide readers with a sampling of compressed air technologies seen. 
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Food Processor Conserves Energy with Compressed Air System Audits

By Mike Grennier, Compressed Air Best Practices® Magazine

A focus on sustainable products and packaging, in combination with a passion for quality, has resulted in considerable growth for the firm. Plans to add production lines at facility #1, in turn, drove the need to address the plant’s faltering compressed air system.
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ABC Compressors Supports Logoplaste Embedded Wall-to-Wall Sustainable Manufacturing

By Mike Grennier, Compressed Air Best Practices® Magazine

Logoplaste, based in Cascais, Portugal, introduced its embedded wall-to-wall manufacturing model to reduce waste and increase efficiency. The model also results in a more economically and environmentally sustainable method of production of rigid plastic packaging since it eliminates the need for a separate secondary packaging plant and the logistics associated with transporting empty bottles. 
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