All About Compressed Air Receivers

DEVAIR Reciprocating Air CompressorsWhat is a Compressed Air Receiver?

An air receiver is a tank filled with air that is suggested to be a part of all compressed air systems.  They serve many purposes such as decreasing wear and tear on a compression module, getting rid of pulsations from a discharge line, separating moisture, giving extra storage for compensating surges in compressed air usage, and reducing energy costs.  They can be found in different forms and range in color, size, specialty, etc.

What is Control Storage?

Control storage is an important function of a compressed air system.  Its main purpose is to optimize the effective operation of the compressor control.  It is essentially any storage generated between the onset of air compressor discharge and before any cleanup equipment.  Control storage overlaps in its purpose with demand storage, but it differs in the location of the storage and its usefulness.  Compressed air design systems often combine features of both control and demand storage to enhance effectiveness.

What are the Two Locations of Air Receivers?


There are two types of air receivers, wet and dry.  Wet receivers are great for additional storage and reducing moisture.  Removing moisture downgrades the load on filters and dryers.  Wet receivers refer to a storage tank placed right after the compressor.  Dry receivers, on the other hand, are good for when large air demands pop up unexpectedly.  The size of an air receiver depends on air usage, as well as compressor style.

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.

What an Air Demand Analysis Can Do For You

Air Demand AnalysisWhat is an Air Demand Analysis?
An Air Demand Analysis is a tool that helps analyze your system to make sure that it is running efficiently.  It is performed by experts who place sensors in strategic spots to get an accurate reading of air flow, energy consumption and air pressure in the pipes and ducts.  The results are then compiled into a report with details about the changes the business owner needs to make. 

Why get an Air Demand Analysis?

An Air Demand Analysis can help your business by letting you know what is wrong with your system and how fixing it can help you financially.  The initial consultation and analysis is oftentimes free of charge, although this is not always the case.  Many companies that offer an Air Demand Analysis, repairs, and installation of new equipment can be found easily online.  This is an important step to take for a business concerned with improving air quality, consumption, and maintenance. 

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.

Air Compressors: The Choice between Single Stage and Two-Stage

Description: DEVAIR Recriprocating Air CompressorAir compressors are one of the tools that prove as useful and versatile in the workshop.  These machines can be used in a variety of ways including impact wrenches, airbrush painting, nail guns, etc.  The decision of which air compressor to select can often be a challenge.  Factors to be considered when selecting an air compressor include maximum pressure needed, duration of operation, and expected life of the compressor.

When Should I Use a One-Stage Air Compressor?
Uses that require 125 psi or less can usually be handled by a single stage compressor.  This type of air compressor pulls air into a chamber and then reducing the volume of the chamber, which compresses the air.  Single stage compresses are ideal for uses where the duration of operation is short such as the inflation of tires or periodic use of an impact wrench.  Single stage compressors may be less cost effective over time if the application requires a lot of use.

When Should I use a Two-Stage Air Compressor?

A two-stage compressor is needed for applications requiring greater than 125 psi.  This type of compressor works the same way as the single stage with one main difference, the air is cool before being compressed a second time in the second stage.  When the demand for air is high over a large period of time a two-stage air compressor is ideal.  Because the air is more compressed with this type of compressor, it allows for more air to be stored in the same space.

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.

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.

Possible Areas of Failure

Performing routine, preventative maintenance on certain areas of your industrial air compressor will help solve problems before they occur. However, some common places that experience problems are:

  • Gauges – Due to malfunctions in the gauges, readings of pressure systems, PSI, power input, and more might not display properly.
  • Hoses – The most common failure in this area is a leak. Hoses that have been punctured or worn out will produce leakage that need to be stopped.
  • Hose Reels – The hose reel itself can break down due to wear and tear, meaning that each individual hose might not be able to either attach itself to the machine or the tools, or might not be able to extend long enough to get into certain workspaces.
  • Pressure Tank – Wear and tear on the tank itself, such as punctures, dents, structural damage, or missing components will cause the air pressure inside the tank to become insufficient.

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.

Refrigerated Air Dryers

What is a Refrigerated Air Dryer?
A refrigerated air dryer is a device used to remove moisture from a compressed air system.  If the system contains moisture, it can cause damage to the equipment that will amount to costly repairs.  Installing a refrigerated air dryer to be used with your compressed air system can solve the problem of moisture.
The water contained in compressed air comes in different forms.  These forms include liquid water, mist, and gas or vapor.  A general purpose filter can be used to remove almost all of the liquid water, but the remaining water is removed by a refrigerated air dryer.
By using a refrigerated air dryer you can prevent the contamination of equipment located downstream from the compressor.  Water contamination can cause parts to fail and therefore lead to the need for costly repairs.

How Does a Refrigerated Air Dryer Work?
An air-to-air heat exchanger is first used to cool the compressed air.  The heat exchanger for a refrigerated air dryer condenses small amounts of moisture by pre-cooling incoming air.  The air is then cooled by using a liquid refrigerant in an air-to-refrigerant exchanger.  The remaining moisture is then condensed into a liquid and then drained out of the system.

What to Look for in a Refrigerated Air Dryer

An important factor when looking for a refrigerated air dryer is the pressure dew point.  The pressure dew point is the required temperature for water mist to condense into liquid.  A test of your equipment is needed to calculate your pressure dew point temperature requirements.
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.