Have you ever noticed that your compressed air products don't always deliver full performance? Here are a few things you can quickly and easily check if you're experiencing problems with the compressed air supply in your production.
- Optimize pipe length: The longer the distances over which the airflow travels, the greater the pressure drop. Before installing new compressed air products, ensure you check your compressed air requirements and optimize your piping system accordingly, shortening it if necessary.
- Pipe diameter: Ensuring you're using the correct size tube can be a game-changer. The diameter of your tube is usually the biggest issue when it comes to restricting the expected airflow. Imagine breathing through a straw: you have limited space for air to reach your lungs, and it's quite strenuous. Now imagine forcing a large volume of high-pressure compressed air through a small diameter… That could be difficult! So, make sure you have enough space. However, the air shouldn't have too much room either, as this can cause it to retain pressure.
- Component sizing: Properly sized filters, valves, regulators, and quick-connect fittings in your piping system can dramatically improve airflow. If these components are too small, the airflow will be more restricted, leading to a pressure drop. Also, avoid using quick-connect fittings whenever possible, as undersized ones can cause significant pressure drops.
- Coils and bent pipes: The fewer bends and turns you use, the better. Just like with pipe length, the more bends there are in the air line, the less pressure is available at the point of use. Abrupt changes in direction along the pipe run lead to pressure loss. If it's unavoidable, at least make sure to use bends with a large or long radius: These bends create less pressure drop because they generate less friction than bends with a short radius.
- System checks: Check your piping system regularly (at least every six months) to ensure there are no leaks. Leaks can cause massive pressure drops in your piping system and cost you a lot of money if not detected early enough. A 1/8-inch hole at 100 psi can cost you over €1,000 per year in unnecessarily generated compressed air.
- Removal of liquids: Eliminate oil or mist from your air supply, as this can clog your piping system or cause deposits to build up in the pipes. This can lead to increased friction and the likelihood of leaks in your piping system.
With Vortex A/C Enclosure Cooler systems, you can be sure that your compressed air is cleaned of liquids through the use of one of our 5-micron compressed air filters.
Following these tips will ensure you get the most out of your compressed air system. An efficient and effective piping system can save you time, money, and headaches!
You can find out more about VORTEC's products, which offer a fast return on investment and enable you to create an efficient compressed air supply for your production, in our online shop (www.rhdgmbh.com/shop) Or simply call us on +49 5130 3799 99!
Source: 6 Ways to Improve Compressed Airflow and Maintain Your Compressor System (vortec.com)