This is why you don't use PVC
PVC is lightweight, inexpensive, and easy to purchase at any local building supply store, making it all the more attractive when it comes to selecting piping materials for a compressed air system.
Using PVC, however, has its risks and in certain areas it may not be code compliant.
To err is human
To err is indeed human and inefficiencies can be found in any system. Some have to do with poor planning, some result from outdated technology, and others simply happen over time as equipment gets older, breaks down, and leaks occur.
Let's make a deal...or maybe not
When it comes to talking about used equipment, there’s one sentence that strikes terror into the heart of anyone who knows anything about energy efficiency, “I got it on eBay.”
Some like it hot...your compressor room doesn't
Many facilities have issues with compressor room temperature regulation. This is due in large part to poor planning. Too often the compressor room is the last part of the facility considered when building a new plant or retrofitting an old one.
Get your motor running
There are four major starting methods for motors. Since compressor and blower manufacturers use any number of these starting methods—some may come standard, some may be an option with a price adder—it’s important to understand the differences between them. Understanding these differences can be helpful when comparing equipment that utilizes different starting methods.
If walls had ears, they'd hear leaks
What would the walls in your shop hear if they had ears? Chances are they'd hear leaks.
You want what where?
There comes a time when you have to get creative—designing a compressed air system is no exception. These four installations certainly had us scratching our heads.
Energy savings as easy as pie
Everyone wants to save money. But when it comes to a compressed air system, what’s the best way to do it? I recommend looking for inspiration in a nice, big piece of pie.
Zen and the art of compressor maintenance
Regular care and maintenance is one of the best ways to bring a little Zen to your compressed air system. It can reduce unscheduled downtime and keep your system running as efficiently as possible. Here are five tips on what to consider when putting together a maintenance plan for your plant.
Rotary blowers for vacuum applications
This blog post explains why and when a rotary blower is a better option for router table applications.
Nightmare of an installation - Part I
We’ve seen a lot of bad installations over the years, but some have been truly horrifying. We thought we’d share some of the absolute most terrifying.
It's alive with inefficiency!
Have you got a Frankenstein blower package lurking in your system? Without a doubt, it comes alive when you flip the switch, but do you really know how efficient the package is? If you’ve got a monster of an electricity bill, you are not alone. Here’s how package integration can help keep that inefficiency monster at bay.
The trouble with modulating compressors
Many plants are still running modulating compressors. For many decades, they were the go-to design choice for compressed air systems. Now they’ve mainly been relegated to warming the bench, mostly due to the rise of variable frequency drive (VFD) compressors. While still numerous, they pose problems—especially in the areas of controls and efficiency. If you have multiple modulation control units in your plant, you just might have the makings of an energy savings jackpot.
Nightmare of an installation - Part II
We’ve seen a lot of bad installations over the years, but some have been truly horrifying. We thought we’d share some of the absolute most terrifying.
Shoulda, woulda, coulda
They say, “Hindsight is 20/20” and “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” and with designing a compressed air system, I’ve seen it happen more times than I can count. Compressed air is vital to plant operations. Without it, production stops, profit margins plummet, and blood pressures rise. But when it comes to planning ahead to prevent downtime, more often than not, we’re left with a hot mess of shoulda, woulda, coulda.