Compressed Air Technologies

The development of acoustic imagers has transformed the way compressed air leak audits are done, saving time for the user. Acoustic imagers are advanced tools used to detect gas leaks by capturing and visualizing high-frequency sounds that are typically inaudible to the human ear. When compressed air or gas escapes through cracks, holes, or loose […]

“Inside the box” thinking involves sticking to conventional methods and solutions that are tried and tested. For example: Routine maintenance: Regularly replacing filters and addressing leaks are standard practices to improve efficiency. Equipment upgrades: Replacing old compressors with newer, more energy-efficient models is a typical step. Basic monitoring: Installing pressure gauges and ensuring the system […]

By Ron Marshall Improving the efficiency of your air compressor system doesn’t always require a large investment. Small, cost-effective changes can lead to significant energy savings, reduced operational costs, and a longer system lifespan. Here are five practical and low-cost strategies to boost the efficiency of your air compressor.   Fix leaks Air leaks are […]

Compressed air systems naturally generate condensate as moisture in the air condenses during compression and cooling. If this condensate is not properly managed, it can accumulate in the system, particularly in uninsulated outdoor pipes. During winter, when temperatures drop below freezing, this condensate can turn into ice, leading to significant operational and safety issues. Freezing […]

By Ron Marshall The short answer is “as cool as possible, but not below freezing.” The practical answer is uncomfortably cool, in the range of 50° to 60° F. Keeping the temperature low reduces the amount of condensed moisture in the discharge air and makes things easier for the air dryer. Compressors generate significant heat […]

A compressed air auditor was performing his work at a large mining operation. He and the site electrician were opening up the various machine electrical panels to enable power factor testing. Within seconds of opening one compressor panel, the electrician jumped back with fright and informed the auditor he was going to be a while. […]

When working with desiccant-style compressed air dryers, there are several factors to consider, to ensure optimal performance and efficiency. Desiccant dryers rely on two towers filled with desiccant material that alternately dry the air and regenerate, to maintain continuous operation. The regenerative purge is essential to removing the moisture collected by the desiccant, but it […]

Preparing an industrial compressed air system for cold winter conditions is essential to ensure reliable operation, prevent equipment failures, and avoid costly downtime. Cold weather introduces unique challenges, such as moisture buildup, freezing, and increased system stress — all of which must be addressed to keep the system running efficiently. Proactive preparation can safeguard your […]

When performing leakage detection on your compressed air system with your ultrasonic leak detector (if you don’t have one, good grief, run out and get one!), you will run across various leaks in piping and equipment. Many of these are small, so roughly less than $100 value per year. But quite often, you will find […]

Do you know how much air your compressed air system is consuming? How about the level of waste during non-production? If you don’t, it may be time to purchase a flowmeter to find out the answers to these questions. Recently during a leak assessment, a compressed air auditor was surprised to see 46 cfm flowing […]

The typical piping installed in industrial plants and shops is made of steel, and as a result may be subject to rusting and contamination. Fig. 1 and 2 show what was found at a heavy industrial plant with the air compressors taking in polluted air. Rusting and contamination in compressed air system piping can lead […]

Norway has a long tradition of catching and processing fish. The country ranks second in the world for exports behind China. To ensure the high quality of their freshly caught products, Norwegians pay particular attention to an unbroken cold chain. One company that contributes to a high level of food safety is Atlantic Styro. Based […]

Normally when measuring the pressure gradient of a compressed air system in an industrial site, the pressure at the compressor discharge is the highest of all locations. Once the compressed air travels through piping, filters, air dryers, and other components — each causing restriction to flow — the pressure at the far end of the […]

ELGi North America has upgraded its EG series portfolio with the introduction of the EG Super Premium (EG SP) 90-110 range of oil-lubricated screw air compressors and the EG PM 11-45kW Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) compressor. Engineered to meet the evolving demands of industries worldwide, the new units maximize energy savings and reduce environmental […]

I found a leak, it’s hissing loud, Compressed air whistling, oh so proud. I grabbed some duct tape, rolled it tight, Thinking I’d fix this leak tonight. But oh, that tape — it flaps and flails, Like it’s on a ship with stormy sails. The air just laughed, a mocking squeak, “You can’t fix me, […]

In this blog post, we will discuss the fifth of five industrial compressor capacity control modes. A very efficient method of controlling a compressor at part load using variable speed mode. With this type of compressor, an electronic drive is fitted to a specially designed compressor with air end components matched to the intended speed […]

In this blog post, we will discuss the third of five industrial compressor capacity control modes. A moderately efficient method of controlling a compressor at part load uses load/unload mode with adequately sized storage receiver capacity. With this mode, a pressure switch, or electronic control, is used to provide load and unload signals to the […]

In this blog post, we will discuss the second of five industrial compressor capacity control modes. The least efficient method of controlling a compressor at part load is using modulating mode by way of pneumatically controlled inlet valve control. With this mode, a pneumatic system detects the compressor discharge pressure and compares it to a […]

In this blog post, we will discuss the first of five industrial compressor capacity control modes. The simplest method of controlling a compressor is Start/Stop mode using pressure switch control. This control simply turns on the compressor to run at full load when the pressure hits a lower pressure level — and turns off the […]

 There are five different capacity control modes available for use with North American-built large industrial air compressors. It pays to know how each mode works, especially if you operate or service air compressors or happen to have your compressors operating in one of the least efficient modes. The accompanying photograph shows just one design that […]

  A compressed air auditor regularly flow-tested the compressors under his study. This generally would be done if the air compressor was drawing low amps — a telltale sign that the unit is producing low flow output — or if the compressor has excessive hours. Often times, internal wear due to age will reduce output […]

It is common to see the air in a complete plant dried by a desiccant dryer only to service one small end-use that is subject to freezing temperatures. The purge from a large desiccant dryer is much more costly than that of a small point-of-use dryer, which can be placed on the outdoor feed. The […]

A compressed air auditor was excited to see logbooks for each of the compressors at a large mineral processing facility. Each book was protected from the environment by a really nice orange plastic case. The auditor was interested to see the compressor history and opened the book, only to discover it was blank — no […]

A compressed air auditor recently performed an energy audit at a mineral processing facility. Plant personnel were constantly complaining about production outages due to low pressure. The problem was that when the pressure dips down below 80 psi, the drive clutches on the large ball mills — that grind the processed down minerals to powder […]

A compressed air auditor found, during a site visit to a mine, that compressed air condensate was left to drain from stopcock at the bottom of piping low spots. The oily condensate pooled on the ground, creating a slippery mess that polluted the environment and caused a safety hazard. This mine had no air dryers […]