Tips for Making Air Compressors Energy-Efficient

Considered the fourth utility in industrial processes, air compressors need careful handling because they often use more energy than most other industrial equipment. Despite the knowledge, some facilities have compressors that run at low-efficiency levels. It not only adds to the overall cost of doing business, but the inefficiency also affects the service life of a compressor. The good news is that facility managers can adopt a specific measure to ensure that compressors work optimally.

Straighten Delivery Lines -- Compressed air systems have varying designs from the size of the delivery lines to the number of folds or loops. If the plant has narrow delivery lines, there will be increased friction in travelling air against the surface of the delivery lines. Since such friction warms the air, the system has to work extra hard to compress it to required levels.

Additionally, numerous bends and folds along the delivery line lead to pressure drops thus forcing the system to use more energy to achieve desired air pressure. Therefore, it is crucial that an air compressor's delivery lines be kept clear to allow sucked air to move freely along the pipes. The delivery lines should also be kept straight whenever possible to ensure that the system achieves more pressure without expending a lot of energy.

Position Compressor Intake Under Shade -- The amount of energy required to compress cool air is lower than what is needed to compress warm air. Facility managers must, therefore, be careful where they place the compressor's intake. The best position would be in a shaded area outside a facility. It is because the air in the shade is already cold and requires little energy to cool it further.

Store Compressed Air -- During periods of low energy demand, air compressor operation should be minimised as much as possible. However, it is common to find a facility's compressor system running at full capacity during low air demand periods. Facilities should look to store compressed air in such cases. Compressed air in storage can then be released to meet peak load requirements consequently cutting on energy loads.

Position Receivers in High Demand Areas -- As a facility manager, it is essential to know compressed air high demand areas. Such knowledge helps with the strategic location of air compressor receivers. To save energy, air receivers need to be positioned as close as possible to the high demand areas. The strategic positioning helps to meet the high demand for compressed air without necessarily increasing a compressor's capacity.

For more information on Kaeser air compressors, contact your local professionals. 

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About Me

A Guide to Industrial Equipment Welcome to my blog. My name is Eric. For the past few years, I have been researching how Australian industry operates. It has taken me many hours of self-guided study and interviews with industry insiders to reach a point where I feel comfortable starting this blog. I love the idea of being able to offer advice to others. Although I never got to work in the industrial sector, I have always taken a keen interest in it and I was very proud of the fact my father worked in an industrial unit for his entire life. I hope you like this blog!