Advantages of Centrifugal Air Compressors

air-compressor3When choosing an air compressor it is important to pick one that is powerful enough to meet your needs or those of your business.  To do this you should take into account and air compressor’s airflow and pressure.

What are the Three Main Types of Air Compressors?

  • Rotary Screw
  • Reciprocating and Centrifugal
  • Dynamic Compressors

What is a Centrifugal Air Compressor?

A centrifugal air compressor is a dynamic system.  A dynamic compressor increases air pressure using impellers (rotating disks) as well as a diffused to convert velocity energy to pressure energy.  It has the advantage of being an oil-free air compressing system.  Stages are used to increase the pressurization of the air to the desired level, driven by an electric motor or a steam or gas turbine.  The use of stages means that the compressed air stays cooler and that the air compressor is more efficient.  These compressors usually operate at a high minimum speed and are capable of running continuously for long periods of time.  Centrifugal air compressors are often found in manufacturing plants, automobiles, and in gas, oil, and refining industries.  These systems are a great fit for industrial settings.  They also tend to be low maintenance because they have few wearing parts.  These compressors initially have a high cost but the cost is generally made up for over time.

For all of your air compressor needs Air Center, Inc. should be able to help.  Air Center stocks many air compressor parts and filters for major manufacturers, designs and installs compressed air systems, and employs technicians who are able to service any compressed air equipment.

An Introduction to Industrial Air Compressors

air-compressorIndustrial air compressors are heavy duty machines that are used by many industries to supply power to run tools and machinery.  These machines feature an airend that compresses air which can be used to supply the energy needed to move machinery such as construction or fabrication equipment. 

What Should You Know About Purchasing an Air Compressor?

A big component of purchasing an industrial air compressor is knowing the right amount of air that is needed to run machinery or other tools.  Compressors vary in the amount of air they supply and because of this those wishing to purchase one should research their needs first.  There are also different products on the market which compress air in different ways.  Most of the types are affixed to a trailer and are designed to be towed behind a vehicle. 

What are Issues with Air Compressors?

There are some maintenance tasks that are essential for making sure that an industrial air compressor lasts for as long as possible.  The tanks that are used to hold air should be drained regularly.  Water may accumulate in these tanks and draining them ensures that the tank lasts.  Filters are also another concerned because these should be changed on a regular basis.  Changing filters prevents dirt and other debris from ruining the parts that are used to compress the air.

For all of your air compressor needs Air Center, Inc. will be able to help.  Air Center stocks many air compressor parts and filters for major manufacturers, designs and installs compressed air systems, and employs technicians who are able to service any compressed air equipment.

Some Air Compressor Emergencies and the Proper Ways to Handle Them

When using an industrial air compressor on the worksite or in a factory, you’re probably going to run into an emergency every now and then. From break downs to malfunctions, air compressor emergencies are something that will have to be dealt with. Handling them in the proper way is the most crucial aspect when dealing with some of these breakdowns, and learning more about your industrial air compressor is the best way to start.

Preventative Maintenance

Performing routine, preventative maintenance on certain areas of your industrial air compressor will help solve problems before they occur. Some common places to check or functions to examine are:

  • Gauges – Making sure they are giving the correct readings at all times is important
  • Hoses – Checking for leaks routinely will help keep air pressure high. Listen for hissing sounds and check for lapses in pressure to make sure there aren’t any holes. Also, a good test is to take a light solution of soapy water and place it on the areas you think might have a leak. If bubbles start to form, then there is a leak in the line.
  • Hose Reels – Making sure the reels for each hose work will allow for multiple tools to function with the machine properly.
  • Pressure Tank – Similarly to the hoses, check for any leakage from the tank itself. Also check for structural damage such as dents or open parts as this may cause irregularities in the pressure inside the tank.

Handling Emergencies

To prevent anything hazardous from happening during an emergency, immediately shut off your machine. Perform the above maintenance steps to figure out where the malfunction is occurring. Use replacement parts where necessary and ensure that they are correctly installed to prevent the same issue from happening again.

For all of your air compressor needs Air Center, Inc. should be able to help.  Air Center stocks many air compressor parts and filters for major manufacturers, designs and installs compressed air systems, and employs technicians who are able to service any compressed air equipment.

Buying a Pre-owned Air Compressor vs Buying a New One

When it comes to buying industrial sized air compressors, a pre-owned model often holds a lot more value than you might think. There are a number of different reasons why a pre-owned air compressor model is just as effective as a brand new one, and learning about this can give you an edge when you’re on the market. The air compressor experts at Aircenter, Inc. can also help you in determining which pre-owned models would best fit your specific needs.

Value of a Pre-Owned Model

  • Initial cost is almost always cheaper
  • Maintenance costs are the same compared to a brand new model
  • Many pre-owned models are still under warranty, reducing your buying risk
  • Most still contain all the necessary parts and accessories, and many even still have spares
  • Most pre-owned models  are still high-quality and not worn out due to the ruggedness of air compressors in general

What to Look for in a Pre-owned Air Compressor

  • Efficiency: is the machine still running at optimal efficiency
  • Missing parts: make sure your pre-owned model has all the right parts to run properly
  • Durability: take not of any signs of wear and tear on the machine
  • Maintenance: going along with efficiency, make sure that your pre-owned model does not have any glaring efficiency problems that would require above average maintenance costs

Energy Savings Using Refrigerated and Desiccant Air Dryers

When you have a compressed air system it is important to ensure that there is not too much moisture in the machine. Too much moisture in your compressed air system could slow performance or even ruin the machine. For any maintenance concerns seek out a company like Air Center, Inc. Air Center is a full service compressor company and equipped to service any compressed air equipment.

What is a Refrigerated Air Dryer?
A refrigerated air dryer could be the most efficient solution to the problem of too much moisture. This type of dryer removes detrimental moisture from your compressed air system by cooling the moisture until it is compressed into droplets which are then drained away. Using this sort of system has several benefits that cut energy costs. Cycling and non-cycling refrigerated air dryers are available.

What is a Desiccant Air Dryer?
Desiccant air dryers are most common because they have been around longer than the newer energy saving dryers. These dryers use more energy by passing compressed air through a pressure vessel where the air is brought down in temperature so the water vapor does not condense.

Benefits of Using Both
A refrigerated air dryer works to reduce energy costs by using two heat exchanger; these exchangers use cold incoming air to cool the hot incoming air, which makes it possible to use a smaller compressor which reduces energy consumption. A refrigerated air dryer also takes part of the work load off of the desiccant dryer which saves on energy costs and gives the desiccant dryer an increased lifespan and greater reliability. Most compressed air systems do not come with a stand-alone refrigerated dryer.