How Can I Increase The Efficiency Of My Air Compressor?

Have you been thinking about how to save energy in your place of business? It almost seems as though everyone is doing the same these days Some people have even gone so far as to refer to this as the era of conservation.

Compressed air is already viewed as one of the most efficient technologies used in the field of manufacturing and construction. That doesn't mean, however, that there aren't plenty of ways to improve the efficiency of the air compressor you already have.

Identify & Fix Leaks In Your System

If you haven't taken the time to identify and fix leaks recently, then your air compressor might be working more than it has to in order to generate the same amount of pressure. These units will often push their motors much stronger to keep the force level constant while some of the air is escaping at some point.

You would probably know if there was a bad leak at some point along the system. However, there's always the risk of developing one that isn't immediately obvious.

In those cases, there's often nothing better than a practiced ear. Experienced technicians are able to hear when air is escaping or the sound from your air compressor doesn't sound quite like it should.

If you've been getting messages about that from your staffers, then you shouldn't ignore them. There's a very good chance that anything they've shared with you is absolutely spot on and needs to be fixed as soon as possible.

At the same time, you might want to upgrade the tubes or piping you use so that your air compressor isn't trying to fight against a series of leaks that periodically show their ugly heads. If you've ever installed a piece of air tubing in the past, then you shouldn't run into any difficulties with this process. It should actually be somewhat easier since you've already taken the time to lay everything out, which means you won't have to take down additional measurements or dimensions.

Improve The Existing Air Tubing

Managers who want to upgrade the air tubing they have installed in an existing piece of pneumatic machinery won't have any shortage of choices to pick from.

More than likely, they'll want to seriously consider the possibility of installing polyurethane tubing made from polyether resin. Since its immune to hydrolysis, you won't have to worry about water damage eventually forcing your air compressor to work harder than it needs to.

At the same time, you'll need to take a closer look at specialty equipment like spark resistant tubing if you're doing anything with potential hazards. While damage to tubes in these kinds of environments can certainly cause efficiency problems, they're even more likely to produce safety ones over time.

Fluororesin tubing offers an additional level of corrosion resistance against acids, alkaline compounds, and even exposure to ultrapure water. Once you have all of these issues sorted out, it'll be time to consider whether or not you need to adjust the climate that your compressor operates in.

Modify The Air Temperature

In an overwhelming majority of situations, the temperature of intake air is best when its cooler. Hot air is going to overheat your compressor, which is again going to make it work much harder than it should have to. You might be able to solve this problem by simply putting the compressor in a cooler area.

It's often much cooler in the shade, and you shouldn't normally leave equipment in direct sunlight even if you're working outside. If you're working with an interior installation that has air temperature problems, then you might want to consider either cooling down the inside thermostat or perhaps investing in some kind of chiller.

It isn't just the temperature of the air that impacts how well your compressor is going to work, however.

Keeping Air Clean & Dry

Dirty air is going to eventually clog your air compressor's intake valve, which will make it desperately try and inhale whatever air it can. Always make sure to put your compressor in an area where it isn't going to suck up sawdust or other debris.

Even an otherwise clean shop is going to have some kind of material coming off workpieces, so you'll want to pay careful attention to this kind of thing.

At the same time, you'll want to watch the level of humidity that you're exposing your system to. Even a slight amount of moisture will eventually build up and clog a compressor, which starts the whole process of working hard over again.

A good rule of thumb is to regularly clean out all of the filters attached to your air compressor. When some of them eventually get worn out, you'll want to replace them. This small action can be enough to keep your compressor unit in service for a longer period of time.

In fact, many individuals who are trying to reduce the overall cost of ownership of their pneumatic gear find that this is an excellent way to increase the lifespan without drastically increasing prices.

Some fixes, however, aren't directly related to the compressor that you're working with itself. The good news is that these shouldn't be too difficult either.

More Ways To Make Your Air Compressor More Efficient

When you plan a new pneumatic equipment layout, you'll want to straighten the path from the compressor's output valve to any actuators that are installed on the line. The less number of bends and twists in the system means a reduced amount of work for the compressor since it won't be trying to force air through a reduced area that might eventually spring a leak because of its positioning.

Some of those actuators might not be doing you any good. You'll want to remove parts you're not using. Not only is this a good way to save energy, but it's also a great way to improve the safety of your system. Nobody should run a pneumatic system that has an attachment that's not in service.

Improve Your Energy Consumption With Orange Coast Pneumatics

Of course, those who would prefer to replace their existing equipment can always get in touch with SMC Pneumatics to learn more about what kinds of options are currently on the market. Those who want to work with their current installation will want to start by finding leaks.

If you're still having trouble with inefficiencies, then you can contact SMC Pneumatics with any questions and our team of experienced representatives will be sure to get back to you. We can help you find all the new parts you need to keep your compressed air-driven equipment running efficiently and safely for the foreseeable future.