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 Bob Baker, training manager AII-AIF.
Whether you’re working in an auto shop, factory, plant, or any other industrial setting, your compressed air needs to be reliable. That doesn’t mean it just has to work — your air needs to be the right temperature with acceptable levels of particulates, vapors and aerosols, and it needs to be the correct pressure for your application.
Pressure sensors keep your equipment safe.
By utilizing compressed air filters and dryers, you can ensure your air is safe for machines and products. But compressed air loses pressure each time it passes through one of those tools. Fear not — installing a pressure sensor after your quality air treatment equipment can monitor and control pressure cascades.
Reducing pressure can save you money.
A pressure sensor and smart controller, like Atlas Copco’s ES system, can guarantee net pressure while compressors run at the lowest possible required pressure. This can mean big savings for operators. Reducing pressure by 20 psig can reduce energy consumption by 10 percent and leakages by approximately 19 percent. On average, most facilities using compressed air experience a 25 to 30 percent compressed air loss due to air leaks.
A 100 HP air compressor operating for one year can cost you approximately $48,000 ($.07/kW/hr). Losing 30 percent of that is like letting $14,400 leak out of your bank account.
Depending on your current energy rates, this can quickly add up. Reducing air leaks can save your facility thousands of dollars each year. So what are you waiting for? Reach out to one of our experts today to discuss how a pressure sensor and smart controller can help boost your bottom line by saving your plant energy and money.
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