Ask Atlas Copco is a segment that discusses commonly asked questions about various compressor, vacuum, and blower technologies, processes and best practices. Today’s answer comes from Steve Bruno, product marketing manager for oil-injected screw compressors.
Flow profiles are a great way to gain insight into the current performance of your compressed air system. While they are useful for almost any operator solely because of the information they provide, many operators don’t make them a priority. However, there are times when it’s imperative you develop a flow profile, as it can impact how much money you spend or save.
Three times you need to develop a flow profile
The need for a flow profile can be summed up in one word: change. Take a look at three times developing a flow profile is crucial to compressor success and cost savings:
Buying a compressor – Purchasing a new compressor means its time to develop a flow profile. Whether it’s your first compressor or you’re adding to a system, it’s important to adjust your required flow (in CFM) before selecting and buying a compressor. A new compressor is a large upfront expense, but developing a flow profile can help you reduce your overall operating costs by ensuring you are using the right amount of air for your processes.
Changing a line or process – Changing a line or process attached to your compressed air system could increase or decrease the required flow. Before making any major changes to your configuration, reach out to a compressed air expert to ensure all your calculations are correct. By preemptively verifying your required flow, you can avoid over-producing air or forcing your compressor to work too hard to meet a flow demand it can’t meet.
Seasonal changes – When summer arrives, so do heat and humidity. These adversely affect compressors, forcing them to work just as hard to produce a lower volume of air. In a hot, humid and non-climate controlled environment, machines see a 5-10 percent decrease in flow. This can be tough on the machines, especially in situations with varying flow. We get the most calls during the summer with machines not producing enough air, so it’s a good idea to develop a flow profile early to determine how to help your compressor meet demand.
Schedule an audit for an accurate flow reading
You can create your own profile by determining which machines are used at what time and for how long, taking variations in production and work schedules into account. While this is a great start, it’s always best to conduct an audit with a compressed air professional for more accurate data. Reach out to one of our experts at Atlas Copco today to create a flow profile and save money.
