The following is an excerpt from the article, Summer air system checklist, published in the June issue of Plant Services magazine. The article is by Mike Robinson, Product Marketing Manager - Quality Air Solutions.
With summer here and temperatures and humidity on the rise, your compressed air system will experience additional water loading on the air treatment equipment. There is 650% more water in the air at the highest summer compressor operating conditions (122 °F) versus the highest temperatures possible in winter conditions (60 °F).
To prepare for this increase in temperature, humidity, and water, there are several parts of the compressed air system that should receive maintenance before the increased loading occurs.
Wet air receiver tanks
The wet air receiver tank is the first part of an air net that will see the impact from the additional water. There is no physical impact on the tanks themselves, but the drains should be tested and maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Also, if you haven’t already done so, be sure to replace energy-inefficient timed drains with a zero-air-loss drain.
Filters
Filters are also affected by additional moisture; the increase in pressure drops seen in coalescing filters leads to higher compressor running costs. To decrease the pressure drops, replace the filter element with a new one.
Don’t forget to check the drain on the filter. The most common filters use float drains, which can clog over time. Maintaining them now can prevent costly air leaks from drains that remain stuck open or even more costly damage from downstream water if a drain becomes clogged shut.
You can read the full article, which continues with maintenance tips on refrigerated air dryers, desiccant air dryers and condensate treatment, by visiting the Plant Services website: Summer air system checklist. If you would like to learn more about air treatment and quality air solutions, contact us or leave a comment below.
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