How healthy is your compressed air system?
June 21st 2009 Atlas Copco is offering a free Compressed Air System Health Check, a non-intrusive procedure designed to examine the entire air supply system – compressors, filters, dryers, pipework, ancillaries, controls and monitoring – highlighting every energy-consuming feature. Experience shows that the highest levels of compressed air system efficiency are invariably obtained through a combination of factors, so once a Health Check has been carried out on a system, the plant operator will be in a position to make an immediate assessment of the changes needed to meet energy and cost efficiency targets.
Examining the system
The examination starts with an assessment of the size and capacity of the compressor installation and its running profile relative to the application. Running pressure is also checked to ensure that it is at a level appropriate to the demands of downstream processes, as excessive downturn of the delivered air pressure can waste energy.
Equally vital is the accuracy and efficiency of the control and monitoring systems,so they also merit a significant degree of the examiner’s attention.
Next on the inspection programme are the dryers, whether they are integral to the compressors or downstream standalone units sited before the point of use. The health check programme notes the size and type of dryer, accuracy of the dewpoint indicator and functionality of the waste water drain.Then, starting with air receivers, the inventory of ancillary equipment undergoes scrutiny.That means determining the operating pressures of filters and the condition of filter elements, as well as condensate drains and oil/water separators.
Pressure drops
One of the largest energy-loss culprits has to be the condition and configuration of the pipework where even the smallest leaks can create significant pressure drops. For instance, a 3mm diameter hole anywhere within a distribution network can mean a compressor using an additional 4kW of power to maintain system pressure. The effect of pressure drops can represent more than 75% of the running costs during the working life of a compressed air installation.
It is equally important to ensure that pipework runs are installed at the minimum distance between compressed air source and the point of use if optimum system air pressure is to be maintained.
Reporting stage
After the assessment is complete, the examiner will provide an onthe- spot written assessment showing exactly where matters can be improved and savings made. But rest assured, free really does mean free. Once the report has been submitted, there is no obligation to adopt any of the report’s recommendations.
With this free offer, compressed air plant operators have nothing to lose but a little time, and in today’s financial climate that may prove to be the best investment they will make.
A free Compressed Air System Health Check can be booked by calling Atlas Copco on 0800 181 085 or by email to gba.info@uk.atlascopco.com More articles from Atlas Copco Compressors Ltd: | 
