The Cost of Air Compressor Leaks and How to Detect Them
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- Category: Blog
- Published on Tuesday, 22 January 2013 18:00
- Written by Super User
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The average leak rate of compressed air systems is estimated to be 25 percent by the U.S. Department of Energy. This means countless dollars lost by businesses using these systems and also lowered productivity and equipment life.
How do Leaks Waste Money?
- Wasted Electricity
- Reduced Productivity
- Increased Service Costs
What are Some Areas Where Leaks can be Found?
A leak can be found in several places on an air compressor. A large number of fittings and hoses can oftentimes mean more leaks. Leaks may be the result of wear and tear on the equipment or from poor installation. Some areas where leaks are commonly found are:
- Condensate Traps
- Hoses
- Disconnects
- Shut-off valves
How can a Leak be Detected?
The first step to reducing or eliminating leaks is to find problem areas. You can check for leaks using a couple different methods.
- Listen and Feel – this works for larger leaks because you would have to get close enough to feel them. This method is not practical to use to detect most leaks.
- Soapy Water – soapy water is placed on the areas where a leak is suspected and if one is present bubbles will form which will confirm the suspicion. This method two has its drawbacks as it requires a close proximity to the equipment and does not tell how severe a leak is.
- Ultrasonic – this is the most reliable form of leak detection and can work for even the smallest leaks. This method requires special equipment and knowledge of how to use it.
After determining where the leaks are it is crucial to develop a plan to fix them. While it costs money to fix these leaks, doing so will be more cost-effective in the long run as those leaks will no longer be plaguing your air compressor. It is also important to develop a plan for how to detect any future leaks early on and repair them in a timely manner.
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.
Preventative Maintenance: How to Keep Your Air Compressor Running Smoothly
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- Category: Blog
- Published on Monday, 14 January 2013 12:56
- Written by Super User
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Regular maintenance on your air compressors is the best way to ensure that they run well. Maintenance tasks can be performed by in-house technicians or companies that will regularly service compressors for their clients.
What are Some Steps that can be Taken to Maintain Your Air Compressor?
- Air filters should be inspected and cleaned weekly for best results. Many can be shaken out to remove dust and debris and they should be changed completely each month.
- Oil should be checked weekly and changed as needed. Most compressors also have an oil filter that needs changed at regular intervals.
- Inlet filters need inspected weekly and replaced as needed.
- Piping and joints should be checked for air and water leaks. Most air leaks are easy to fix.
- Compressors should be kept clean. Removing dirt and debris from the exterior of a unit helps keep the air filter clean.
- Belts should be inspected weekly for wear and tension and replaced when necessary.
It is not a bad idea to keep a log of inspection dates and services performed so that everyone in an organization knows the condition of an industrial compressor.
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.
Condensate Drains: Everything You Need to Know
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- Category: Blog
- Published on Monday, 07 January 2013 10:07
- Written by Super User
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Compressed air is used in a wide range of applications and because of this has become a staple of industry. Compressed air does have its drawbacks, however. Compressed air cannot hold as much moisture which means that condensate develops. Other impurities can also find their way into the system, such as oil and dirt, and these often mix and become acidic which causes damage to the machinery. Condensate drains help to alleviate the problem. These drains are attached to compressed air systems and are designed to remove condensate.
Condensate Drain Options
There are a few options when it comes to condensate drains and they all have different points to consider.
- Non-Sensor Condensate Drains
- Manual Condensate Drain Valve – this valve remains slightly open at all times and can accrue more of a cost because of the lost air and it also requires constant attention to operate.
- Solenoid or Timed Valve – these valves are also prone to wasting money and will open and close at regular intervals regardless of the presence of condensate.
- Sensor Condensate Drains
- Float Type Sensor – these types seal when not draining condensate. However, they are also prone to malfunction and will struggle when presented with oily or sticky condensate.
- Zero Air Loss Condensate Drain – this is the most efficient option for condensate removal. These have a sensor which will measure the amount of condensate and will open when it reaches a particular level. These drains require electricity and will open and close fast enough to avoid the loss of 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.
Advantages of Centrifugal Air Compressors
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- Category: Blog
- Published on Monday, 31 December 2012 05:01
- Written by Super User
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When 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
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- Category: Blog
- Published on Monday, 24 December 2012 09:58
- Written by Super User
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What are Industrial Air Compressors?
Industrial 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.