When choosing an installer for your customized compressor system, there are several factors to take into consideration. Some of these factors can include the quality of service, the price, professionalism, the reputation of the company, and more. It is always a good idea to do your research before hiring a company you are planning to do business with. It is ideal to have a professional company with extensive knowledge of the product install your compressor correctly to avoid any complications with your new system down the road.

There are a lot of different companies to choose from when it comes to installing your customized compressor system. You certainly want to make sure that you select one that will suit your requirements, needs, and budget.

It is a good idea to go with a professional company that has a reputable name. Ideally, you should also look for one that is not only affordable, but is also highly rated in customer service and available to answer any questions that you may have in regards to their products or services. A reputable company with great customer service should be your top choice when selecting an installer.

When searching for an installer, there are a number of factors to consider. First, make sure that the installer is experienced. Without any experience, the installer may not do a good job with your compressor system. While checking on the installer’s level of experience, you should also ask to see some of their previous work. Not only will this help you verify that the installer is indeed experienced, but it will also give you a better idea of what quality work they do. The last thing you need to happen to your new industrial air compressor system is for it to break down due to bad installation, so quality of work should always be priority number one.

Next, make sure that the installer has the necessary and required licenses and insurance. It is also a good idea to find out if the labor and materials are covered under a warranty.
Without a doubt, when considering having your compressor system installed, it is very important to hire a professional, reputable company. This will not only save you money, but your precious time and frustrations as well. Go with a company you can trust, and your compressor system installation will go smoothly and be in service for many years.

Using an air compressor on a daily basis results in the buildup of moisture. Air compression creates collides hot and cold air within the system, causing water to condense, building up moisture inside the air compressor as a result. Any moisture within an air compressor system requires close and immediate attention.

Moisture buildup may be normal but it is not desirable. For example, water sitting on compressor parts can cause rust and create poor performance. Compressor parts can easily be harmed by carried moisture, such as freezing water on outside lines prohibiting their use.

Moisture buildup can also be harmful to the environment and to people who work around the compressor. Mildew and mold can form in any compressor, and both can cause illness. Bacteria gathering in standing water are usually more harmful than mold. Due to these possible complications, anyone who owns an air compressor needs to have a protocol or piece of equipment for dealing with water inside their compressor.

Larger systems can be equipped with air dryers that help control the moisture problem. There are several different types of air dryers for compressors; including refrigerated, desiccant, and deliquescent. All types are effective at preventing moisture build-up inside air lines, and your choice of air dryer should be determined by several factors, including the type of air compressor being used, the temperature of the ambient air, and the operating pressure of the compressor.

In addition to air dryers, air compressor owners can also use filters known as moisture separators to protect their compressor systems. Moisture separators are relatively inexpensive, considering how many costly repairs they avoid. They are easy to install and maintain, although they must be regularly drained due to the moisture they accumulate.

A good way to prevent moisture damage to your compressor and your product is through taking precautionary steps to reduce moisture. This can be done through draining your air compressor’s receiver often or adding a larger receiver, which will cool air passively. In an environment in which the temperature is controlled, your air compressor system will be less susceptible to moisture accumulation. Proper preparation and planning, along with routine replacement of filters, will also help control moisture levels. Following these suggestions can help you avoid most of the problems caused by moisture.

Compressors are used in industry for many different reasons and jobs. Basically, they are machines that increase the pressure of a contained gas by reducing its volume. This means that they push a lot of gas into a smaller space by compressing it and release it at different pressure levels when necessary.

The industrial rotary screw compressor works by using two screws which push the gas into a chamber, from where it is later released with greater pressure. Oil-filled rotary screw compressors use oil for a smooth, silent run, and also to act as a seal when pushing the pressurized gas into the release chamber. They are used in construction sites to operate air driven machinery. Dry screw compressors do not use oil and increase pressure in the chamber with the screws, which are aligned perfectly with the walls of the air end and do not allow air to escape.

The oil-filled compressor is more effective and produces a greater volume of air because of the seal that is formed by the oil in the chamber. An oil-free compressor will yield a pressure of 150psig and a gas volume of 2000 cubic feet per minute while an oil-filled model will yield 200psig in pressure and a volume of 1500 cubic feet per minute (both volumes and pressures are measured at 60 degrees Centigrade and atmospheric pressure).

The rotary vane compressor works with a bladed rotor. The decreasing spaces around the blades of the rotor as it rotates produce the volume decrease in the gas, thus creating pressure. These compressors are found in two different models: dry and oil-filled. The oil-filled compressor is the most effective and can reach levels of 90% efficiency. Much like the rotary screw compressor, the oil-filled model produces more pressure than the dry compressor.

These two compressor types are similar in their uses and functions; their technology is also much the same. They both run on fuel or with electric motors. They are both extremely quiet and the oil-filled versions can produce excellent amounts of continuous pressured air. The dry models are also effective but their yield in pressure decreases because of the lack of the oily mechanical seal. They are both built in different sizes with different functions which depend on the compressor size. Rotary screw and vane compressors will do the same job effectively but the screw type produces air more efficiently over the lifetime of the compressor.

With any large machine such as an air compressor, there is always the chance of it breaking down due to mechanical failure. These breakdowns are not only a hazard to the machine, but to you and your workplace. Anyone working around an air compressor should be aware of how to handle these emergency situations.  
Too much pressure is a major, and common, problem of air compressor issues. Oftentimes, a machine cannot handle pressure levels above its recommended limit, so be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for PSI limits. Check all your gauges routinely to ensure that you are getting the proper reading from the machine.

An effect of pressure misuse is leakage, which occurs in the pneumatic hoses attached to the machine. If too much pressure is being put out; rips and tears can occur in the hoses, which cause leakage. Not only is this situation hazardous, but it is also a serious financial problem as well. Leaks can cost a company thousands of dollars a year if not properly treated and corrected.

A third problem that might arise has to deal with the condensates in your system. Compressed air causes moisture such as water vapor and oil to build up in the system, both the hoses and the unit itself. This can cause corrosion in the pipes and hoses, once again leading to tears and leakage. Condensate build ups can also block air flow from moving throughout the system, another problem that will cause it to rupture. In order to prevent this from happening, having an industrial air compressor dryer, either a desiccant or refrigerated dryer, will eliminate the condensates from your unit.

As with most problems involving your industrial air compressor, preventative maintenance goes a long way in ensuring that you keep those problems to a minimum. Checking valves and gauges regularly ensures that your PSI readings are correct, preventing any ruptures, tears, or leaks. Managing your condensates is another step that goes a long way in caring for your compressor, as getting rid of all the condensates in your system will increase the efficiency of your compressor. Finally, make sure everyone who handles the air compressor is qualified to do so. Accidents are the worst thing that can happen on a work site, and knowledge is the best way you can keep everyone safe.

A condensate drain is a necessary component of a compressed air system because it disposes of potentially harmful condensates in a safe way. Condensates form from the cooling of moisture in the air system, and must be drained properly and regularly. If the condensate is not drained, water vapor and other contaminants would not be properly removed via refrigerated air dryers or mist eliminators. These drains are categorized into zero air loss drains and timed electric drain traps.

Zero air loss drains operate automatically via pneumatic power and waste no compressed air when they discharge condensate. These condensates are continuously measured by ultrasonic sensing technology systems, allowing for constant monitoring of the process. The discharge from these drains can be executed at a rate of up to 60 gallons of condensate per hour. The state of the condensate is irrelevant and, as such, it can be dirty, emulsified, or clean. Regardless of the state it is in, all condensate is discharged through this process. Zero air loss drains expel no compressed air, hence the term “zero air loss”. Once a predetermined amount of condensate has accumulated in a reservoir, the drain discharges the condensate safely and efficiently.

The second type of condensate drains are timed electric drains. These drains are programmed to drain condensates at specific time intervals, and are designed to discharge condensates at pressure ratings as high as 720psi. External knobs adjust the open time and duration between cycles, while valve-open lights display operating conditions. A motorized ball valve is also used for the timing of these electric drains.

The third type of condensate drains are automatic drain traps, also known as float drains. These drains operate without electricity and are used to discharge both clean and heavy emulsion condensates. These automatic drain traps are relatively compact in size and operate automatically, saving both space and energy costs.
After the drains have discharged the condensate, oil and water separators are used to reduce hazardous waste in these condensates. Oil and water separators work by siphoning out materials such as mineral oils, semi-synthetic lubricants, synthetic lubricants, 24KT fluids, and polyglycols from the compressed air. Because oil and water mixtures are not safe to release back into the environment, the lubricants are trapped in these systems, allowing water to pass through.

All these drains are used in compressed air systems to keep the air free of water vapor and other contaminants. Draining condensates is one of the most important aspects when dealing with industrial air compressor maintenance. Not only will a well drained system function more smoothly, but it will also save you valuable time and money.