Posted by Compressed Air Systems on | Comments Off on Types of Pipes and Fittings for Compressed Air Systems
Pipes and fittings are components that connect everything in a compressed air system. Piping has the potential to make or break any enterprise that uses compressed air systems in its day-to-day operations.
Because faulty and inefficient piping can result in lost power, it is important to pay attention to the layout, installation, and maintenance of pipes and fittings of compressed air systems. Factors that impact pressure efficiency include obstructions and blockage, moisture, and sharp angles. Undersized piping is one of the biggest problems when delivering the air to the application.
Pipes and fittings are integral to the compressor system running efficiently and properly. If the quality of these components is poor, they can cause leaks and other issues.
Two Basic Types of Pipes for Compressed Air Systems
Plastic pipes don’t corrode. As a result, there is a minimum risk of rust and a lower risk of obstructions. The interior surface of the pipe is smooth, which encourages laminar flow. Ideal plastic pipes for piping compressed air are made of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Polyethylene (PE) piping and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) piping are also good choices for compressed air applications. PVC is not recommended and is an OSHA violation if used. It degrades and can burst, causing damage and is very dangerous to employees exposed to it.
Metal Pipes
Metal pipes are the preferred choice for compressed air systems.
Black Steel Pipe
Black steel is commonly used in compressed air systems. The material is strong and durable, but time-consuming in labor. It is heavy but susceptible to corrosion. The threaded connections can also slip and leak.
Galvanized Steel Pipe
Galvanized steel is widely used in compressor systems. It is less susceptible to corrosion. The galvanized coating can flake off and cause blockages in air stream applications.
Copper Pipe
Copper pipes are corrosion-free and easy to cut and weld. They can be pressed together with special fittings and tools. They are lightweight and have a wide range of fittings available for compressed air systems. They also have a very smooth interior for a solid laminar flow.
Aluminum Pipe
Aluminum pipes have anti-corrosive properties. It is lightweight, which makes it easy to carry around and install. The fittings are easy to put together.
Stainless Steel Pipe
A stainless-steel pipe can be welded and pressed easily. The interiors and exteriors have no risk of degradation and corrosion. Stainless steel is heavy and this can make it difficult to fit. The high cost of this material makes it less common in compressed air applications, but it has numerous benefits.
Fittings in Compressed Air Systems
Fittings (push-in) are an ideal choice for connecting and disconnecting lines without the use of tools. Our vast selection of fittings includes:
Bulkhead unions
Male elbows
Male swivel elbows
Male connectors
Female elbows
Female connectors
Unions
These fittings are available in nickel-plated brass, steel, and nylon plated brass. The ability to quickly connect them can save substantial time during assembly. The fittings are reusable, which enables you to connect and disconnect again and again. These components can help keep a compressed air system running as smoothly as possible.
Learn More About Pipes for Compressed Air Systems
Compressed Air Systems provides high quality compressed air pipes, pneumatic fittings, and compressed air parts and fittings to keep the compressed air system operating efficiently. Contact us to receive more information about different types of compressed air pipes and fittings.
Posted by Compressed Air Systems on | Comments Off on What Class of Air Do You Need for Your Application?
Different applications require different compressed air quality levels to deliver optimal safety and efficiency. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) maintains a set of guidelines called ISO 8573 that define the classes of compressed air quality based on specific testing criteria. Any application that requires compressed air should abide by the ISO 8573 standards to ensure that the air quality meets industry standards and provides the expected results.
ISO Air Quality Classes
The ISO classifies compressed air quality under ISO 8573 and provides standard criteria for testing air contaminants, including solid particles, oil, and water. While the ISO does not classify gasses and other pollutants like microbiological contaminants and volatile organic compounds, it does include methods for measuring such pollutants. The ISO standards are periodically updated to keep up with fast-changing industries, and its most recent update was ISO 8573:21:2010.
Click to Expand
The ISO classifications help different industries classify the air requirements of their facilities and allow users to work to achieve the appropriate compressed air levels for their needs. The ISO provides the following test standards:
ISO 8573-1: Classes of purity and contaminants
ISO 8573-2: Testing for oil aerosol
ISO 8573-3: Testing for humidity
ISO 8573-4: Testing for solid particles
ISO 8573-5: Testing for oil vapor
ISO 8573-6: Testing for gas
ISO 8573-7: Testing for viable microbiological content
ISO 8573-8: Testing for solid particles with mass concentration
ISO 8573-9: Testing for liquid water
Reading the ISO Classes Chart
ISO 8573 defines several air purity classes identified by three-digits, such as 1.1.1, 1.2.1, or -.8.-. The digits are read from left to right, with the first digit representing solids particles, the second water, and the third oil. A low number marks air with few contaminants, while a high number will mark highly-polluted air.
Air with an ISO classification of 1.1.1 or 1.2.1 has low levels of contamination. Sensitive applications like pharmaceutical and chemical processing depend on air with very low contaminant levels. A rating of -.8.- has no solid particulate or oil contaminants but contains higher levels of water particulates. Air with this quality rating may still be acceptable for applications such as low-grade shop air.
Solutions From Compressed Air Systems
Compressed Air Systems has the solution if you are trying to find the class of air that meets ISO 8573 standards for your application. Our team of air system specialists understands that every application requires a unique air system solution to provide the ideal class of air. We deliver air systems for a variety of commercial and industrial applications. Speak with our specialists to determine the ideal filter for your industry or application.
Rely On Compressed Air Systems To Meet ISO 8573 Standards
Determining the ISO 8573 standard class of air for your application is critical to achieving the safety and performance you need. If you are not sure which ISO 8573 class of air is required for your application or need help achieving air quality that meets ISO standards, the team at Compressed Air Systems can help. Compressed Air Systems has been delivering high-quality compressed air, vacuum, and blower system solutions since 1963. From our 30,000 sq. ft. Tampa, FL facility, we offer sales, in-house services, rentals, and installation.
Compressed Air Systems provides a complete solution whether you are purchasing a new air system for installation or have an old air system that requires professional diagnosis and repair. We also sell and rent a variety of pneumatic equipment tools. Contact us to learn more about our products and capabilities.
Posted by Compressed Air Systems on | Comments Off on The Importance of Having a Backup Compressed Air System
For companies that rely on compressed air to do business, it’s essential to have a backup compressed air system in place. If your primary system goes down, you’re looking at downtime, reduced production, and potentially irritated clients who will take their business elsewhere. The recent supply chain shortages can cause additional delays as you wait for a new compressor or spare part. By simply having your backup compressor ready to go, you can eliminate that downtime and keep your customers happy while you wait for your primary system to get fixed or replaced.
The Importance of Backup Compressed Air Systems
There are several reasons why you’ll be grateful for your backup compressed air system. It’s not only for emergencies—you can also use it to help with fast turnaround expectations, load sharing, and more:
Reduced Downtime: Instead of waiting for your primary system to be repaired or replaced—something that could take weeks or months if you’re waiting for a part—you can minimize the financial impact of downtime by having your backup system ready to go.
Saved Costs: When you invest in a backup system, you save money in the long run because you won’t lose production if your primary system goes down. You won’t have to pay employees overtime to meet deadlines.
No Project Delay: You can switch to your backup compressor almost instantly, allowing for smooth continuation of the project you’re working on. You can run your backup compressor while you wait for any necessary replacement parts to come in.
Seamless Scheduled Maintenance: Instead of facing downtime during routine or emergency maintenance, you can plan to run your backup compressor during that time. That reduces the pressure on the maintenance technician to work too quickly, and it allows you to schedule maintenance when it’s convenient for you and the maintenance team.
Load Sharing: Instead of letting your backup compressor sit unused and wondering if it will work correctly when you need it, keep it in action. Spread the workload over both machines with a timer to ensure even load sharing, and schedule maintenance for each while the other is in operation.
Increased ROI and Production: No downtime means no wasted time. Production stays on schedule so you can meet deadlines and keep clients happy. Your backup compressed air system pays for itself over the years with increased production.
Operate Multiple Pieces of Equipment: On a tight deadline, a large projection, or in anticipation of orders to come, you can speed up production by using both systems at once to operate multiple pieces of equipment.
Compressed Air Systems: Your Partner for Air Compressor Systems
Since 1963, Compressed Air Systems has specialized in air compressed air, blower, and vacuum systems for clients in a range of industries, including food and beverage, medical, industrial, aerospace, CNC machining, plastics processing, woodworking, electronics, and more. With a 30,000-square-foot facility in Tampa, Florida, we sell, service, and rent pneumatic tools and equipment, and we offer compressed air audits, leak detection, and more.
If you need a backup compressed air system, we can help. Our customer care team is friendly and responsive, and we’re prepared to answer any questions you might have. Contact us to learn more about the benefits of having a backup system or to request a quote.
Posted by Compressed Air Systems on | Comments Off on The Role Air Compressors Play in Pandemics
Clean air is a matter of health even in the best of times, and nowhere is that truer than in the hospital setting where people can be exposed to a wide range of pathogens as they struggle to recover from the ones that brought them there in the first place. Sanitation, from surfaces to the air, is given utmost priority. The respiratory air supplied to patients via machine ventilation has to be completely clean and free from humidity, oil, dust, and pathogens. Hospitals, intensive care units, and emergency rooms rely on medical compressed air every day, and they’ve seen an increased need for it as they treat COVID-19 patients.
These compressed air systems are highly regulated and carefully designed to purify the air even in the most extreme circumstances and environments. They’re trusted around the world, and they are playing an especially vital role during this pandemic.
Do Compressed Air Systems Assist in the Spread of COVID-19?
They’re not helping to spread it—they’re helping to stop it. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), COVID-19 is not airborne. Instead, as was discovered in the early days of the pandemic, it’s spread through the droplets from coughs and sneezes, which can be left on surfaces or spread directly from person to person. There has been no evidence to show that air compressors spread coronavirus, and these machines are still important tools for saving lives in the hospital every day.
By design, air compression is violent for microorganisms. If viruses and bacteria are present in the air as they enter the compressor, they’re extremely unlikely to survive. This is why:
The air has to pass through panel filters and intake filters when it enters the air compressor. In almost any environment, certainly hospitals included, there are a variety of microorganisms in the air, which is why this inline coalescing filtration is in place. It removes a huge number of contaminants.
To fight their way through that filtration, contaminants would have to remain in aerosol form, which they would have a hard time doing. During compression, the air is heated to a high temperature very quickly. Depending on the type of compressor, that temperature can go above 300 °F. Even the lower-temp oil-flooded rotary screw compressors are still plenty hot, as they operate at a minimum of 180 °F.
Fortunately, research shows that most coronaviruses die before the temperature gets to 150 °F, and all of them are inactive by 200 °F. The air compressor creates an inhospitable environment for pathogens; the air is clean and clear by the time it reaches the person (in the medical setting) or the product (in the food and beverage industry).
Following Best Practices
As with any piece of equipment, air compressors have to be carefully maintained to continue working properly. To that end, a strict maintenance program is required for all compressed air systems used in food and pharmaceutical applications.
During the pandemic, as during more typical times, these maintenance procedures remain the same. Shutdowns should not be an excuse to postpone necessary inspections and repair. Because air compressors are essential, the mechanics who service them are essential, too, and you still have access to these professionals.
Using only proprietary spare parts and performing proper upkeep for the system will ensure the filters are working as they should, and COVID-19 and other pathogens will not be able to pass through the compressed air. Work with a trusted mechanic to ensure your air compressors are in top condition.
Contact Us for the Air Compressors You Need During This Time
Since 1963, Compressed Air Systems has been serving Florida with air compressor inspection, repair, maintenance, and installation. In that time, we’ve worked on a variety of air compressor models from all the leading brands, and we’ve built long-lasting relationships with customers who rely on compressed air to do their jobs safely and effectively.
When the government awarded a ventilator project to General Motors, the company reached out to us to provide compressed air breathing filtration packages. We were proud to work with GM and contribute to the fight against COVID-19, and, thanks to our years of experience, we were able to provide a quick solution for this critical endeavor. We stand ready to rise to the challenge if and when we can offer more assistance.
If you have any questions about air compressors in general or about the role they play during pandemics like COVID-19, please contact us. Compressed Air Systems is here to ensure the longest possible life for your air compressor.
Posted by Compressed Air Systems on | Comments Off on Compressed Air System Capabilities for the Plastic Industry
The plastic industry in the United States accounts for $380 billion in shipments every year and has created 885,000 domestic jobs. It’s the third-largest manufacturing industry in the country.
Industry-leading plastic manufacturing plants use air compressors because they are the best at providing precise, reliable, and efficient power to manufacture high-quality plastics safely and consistently. In fact, air compressors have become the standard tool for delivering power.
Why Use Air Compressors in the Plastic Industry?
Plastic manufacturing requires precise operations to ensure the product holds a strong, durable shape. Every facility’s power delivery system must be fine-tuned, so it can operate during delicate stages of the process. At the same time, plastics plants need consistent access to energy-efficient power solutions that allow them to operate within stringent efficiency regulations.
Air compressors strike the balance between three competing requirements in plastic industry facilities: precision, reliability, and energy efficiency.
Precision
While current technology can minimize fluctuations in electrical currents, it can’t stop them entirely. Pneumatic air compressors stabilize the flow of power into equipment and processes by absorbing the fluctuation. Air compressors can also be tightly controlled to deliver precise levels of power and pressure at each manufacturing stage.
Reliability
Air compressors are a main utility for plastic processing plants and having a premium air compressor is worth the investment. Without interrupting production of their compressor air demands, a second compressor is vital for reliability.
For example, in dusty or dirty manufacturing conditions, air compressors can perform more reliably than other tools. A properly maintained air compressor will perform more reliably. They can also maintain consistent performance during temperature fluctuations and adverse weather conditions when properly equipped with correct options.
Energy Efficiency
Due to increasing concerns about energy production, greenhouse gases, and climate change, manufacturing facilities are under intense pressure to operate more efficiently. Air compressors help generate power in a way that is both cost-efficient and compliant with energy consumption regulations.
Finding the Proper Air Compressor for the Plastic Industry
Every plastic manufacturing plant is slightly different and operates in varied conditions, which means they need the right air compressor for their unique solutions. Selecting one while constructing a new manufacturing facility or retrofitting an existing plant for air compression power is absolutely essential to maximize all the benefits of pneumatics.
Some important considerations include:
After the Sale Support
You need an air compressor that is easy to use and shows immediate results after installation. It’s also important to find manufacturers that offer warranties, service guarantees, and support after the initial purchase and installation. Look for manufacturers that:
Offer diagnostics, support, and maintenance
Have easy-to-reach customer service lines
Have a wide distribution network for parts and servicing
Quality Construction
Air compressors need to have high-quality construction to remain durable and energy-efficient throughout years of industrial use. They need:
Innovative design
Totally enclosed fan cooled (TEFC) motors with class F insulation
Service friendly construction
Guaranteed efficiency
Magnetic wye-delta reduced voltage starting
Efficient separator system
Low sound and vibration
CAGI (Compressed Air & Gas Institute) certified performance
Monitoring and maintenance controllers
Looking for well-made air compressors, even if they have a higher initial cost, can save your facility time and money on repairs, downtime, leakages, and energy waste.
Smart Analytics
No matter how large your facility is, employing your air compressor with smart analytics technology can help it stay on top of potential malfunctions, leaks, and surges in energy consumption. Smart systems gather data about:
Potential areas with wasted electrical use
Developing strains in the system
Aggregate electrical consumption to ensure your facility is staying compliant with energy use regulations
Contact Compressed Air Systems Today to Learn More
If you’re constructing a new plastics manufacturing facility or retrofitting a plant to use air compressors, contact Compressed Air Systems today. Our team will help you find the best air compressor and control systems for your needs.
Posted by Compressed Air Systems on | Comments Off on Air Compressors for Aerospace
Air compressors support a broad range of critical functions for the aerospace sector ranging from fuel injection to metal finishing. Compressors are also a critical element in manufacturing quality control, where they help to simulate the pressures that aircraft components will endure while in flight.
Aeronautical engineers rely on air compressors for a wide variety of applications at nearly all phases of production. As such, the selection of high-quality compressors is essential to operational success for many different functions of the aerospace sector.
Aerospace Air Compressors Applications
Manufacturers of aircraft components must prevent contamination. Common air compressors may mix air with lubricants, presenting a significant contamination risk for applications that require purity.
This risk can be eliminated through the use of oil-free compressors, which see frequent use in a variety of clean rooms and manufacturing facilities for this purpose. Meanwhile, lubricated compressors still play a vital role in less demanding applications throughout the aerospace industry.
Aerospace Air Compressors from Compressed Air Systems
Compressed Air Systems offers a full product line of air compressors specifically designed to meet the demands of the aerospace industry. The two primary types of air compressors for these applications include rotary screw air compressors and reciprocating air compressors.
Rotary Screw Air Compressors
When continuous use of large air volumes at higher pressures is common, rotary air compressors provide an optimal solution. The continuous sweeping motion of the compressor also eliminates the pulsation or surging of airflow.
Reciprocating Air Compressors
Intermittent-use applications favor reciprocating compressors. Also known as a piston compressor, these units utilize the energy put into them very efficiently and tend to last longer. However, the reciprocating motion of the pistons produces pulses and surges in airflow that may be undesirable for some applications.
Oil-Free or Lubricated
Our oil-free compressors provide an ideal solution for demanding aerospace applications such as breathable air systems, engine startup, automatic tool changes, and aircraft manufacturing. For less demanding uses, our standard lubricated compressors feature advanced filtration and air/fluid separation systems to reduce the risk of damage to sensitive equipment and provide greater peace of mind to users.
Air compressors play a vital role in a broad range of applications within the aerospace industry. Dependable, contaminant-free air compression contributes to the safe operation and optimal performance of equipment produced by the aerospace sector.
Compressed Air Systems provides quality air compressors for a wide range of aerospace applications. Contact us to discuss our line of air compressors and how they can support your aerospace project.
Posted by Compressed Air Systems on | Comments Off on Using Air Compressors for Food and Beverage Applications
The importance of using air compressors for food and beverage processing applications cannot be overstated. Many steps of the manufacturing process benefit from the use of compressed air, such as:
• Food mixing
• Packaging movement
• Pumping fluids
• Air filtration
This last step is arguably the most important role of air compressors in the food and beverage industry. Filtering out contaminated air is essential to creating sanitary food products, helping you preserve customer health and avoid liability.
For this reason, air compressors used in food manufacturing environments must be held to the highest standards. For example, if your processes fill a ready-to-eat package with contaminated air, the dirt or bacteria in that air will travel directly to your customer. This poses a risk not only to them, but to your business as well.
Therefore, choosing a dependable, efficient, and oil-free air compressor for your manufacturing application is vital for ensuring that you deliver the highest-quality products possible. Here, we outline a few of the ways you can best incorporate air compressors into your facility.
Applications for Food and Beverage Air Compressors
Compressed air is a powerful tool for many different applications within the food and beverage industry. Imagine a hypothetical manufacturing facility that uses compressed air for the production of yogurt. In one area of the factory, compressed air pushes flavoring powders through tubes to mix them with uncultured yogurt. In another area, compressed air supplies oxygen to the yogurt as it cultures. Once the yogurt finishes culturing, additional processes place it into containers cleaned using compressed air. Throughout these automated process, the air also opens valves and actuators for filling and bottling.
Although this is only one example of the use of compressed air in food processing, this technique can benefit food processing applications in many different ways. Air compressors can spray oil and dispense liquids such as soft drinks, condiments, or beer. Compressed air generators can produce ozone to treat water or to generate nitrogen to create nitrogenized beer. The air can be used directly on the food as an air knife or on the packaging for agitation, transfer, or sealing.
The uses for food-grade air compressors are almost endless. Some other applications for air compressors include:
● Bakeries (to spray vegetable oil)
● Coffee automats
● Packaging
● Mixing foods
● Pilot air
Uses for Food and Beverage Air Compressors
Because of the wide range of pressures that air compressors can generate, they can be used in many different places on your product line. Here are just a few examples of how food and beverage processors use air compressors every day:
• As raw ingredients and materials enter a factory, compressed air sorts them based on weight
• High-pressure compressed air peels and slices fruits and vegetables such as carrots, onions, and apples
• Worker use compressed air to wash down packaging machines and keep the factory sanitary
• Compressed air pushes fillings into pie crusts or other stuffed pastries
• Diaphragm pumps move around the liquid filling to ensure even distribution
• Low-pressure compressed air blows off crumbs from baked products
• Workers use blow-molding to create specialized packaging
• Compressed air cleans packages and vacuum seals food products inside
• Cold compressed air freezes products for shipping and retail
As you can see, compressed air is integral to every step of the manufacturing process in the food and beverage industry. Because of its usefulness, some people call compressed air the fourth utility, saying that it is just as important to manufacturing as running water, heat, and electricity.
Learn More About the Advantages of Air Compression with Compressed Air Systems
At Compressed Air Systems, we have the knowledge to provide you with the best air compressors to suit your manufacturing needs. We have been in business since 1963, and we sell, service, and rent all types of pneumatic tools and equipment.
Contact us if you would like to learn more about how compressed air can help your business.
Air receiver tanks, also called compressed air tanks or simply air receivers, are crucial elements of compressed air systems. Air receiver tanks have two main purposes: to serve as short-term storage units during temporary demand spikes, and to help systems perform more efficiently overall.
To think of it another way, air receiver tanks perform much like batteries: By utilizing stored energy, a lower-horsepower machine can be employed to complete a larger task. Because of the massive amount of pressure these tanks are often under — not to mention their vital importance in compressed air systems — they must be both durable and strong.
There are two kinds of air receivers: wet and dry. Wet receivers are placed immediately after the compressor.
In addition to serving as storage tanks, these receivers also help reduce moisture. Dry receivers, on the other hand, are placed after the air dryer or other air preparation equipment, and can minimize drops in the air pressure of a compressor system.
1. Integrating Air Receiver Tanks Into Your Facility
Typically, an air receiver tank is sized at six to 10 times the flow rate of the compressed air system. By law, tanks must have a pressure relief valve and a pressure gauge. The relief valve is typically set to 10% higher than the working pressure of the system.
Also, it’s crucial to have either a manual drain or an automatic drain on the receiver tank so water can be easily removed from the system.
The removal of moisture is especially important in cold weather, as moisture can accumulate and reenter the flow of outgoing air. Plus, if the temperature falls below 32 °F, the condensate line will freeze, potentially damaging the pipe.
Moisture can also cause rust and scale to form on the inside of the tank, both of which can be carried in the outgoing air and cause premature blockages of filters. A coalescing filter and air dryer usually are placed downstream of the receiver tank.
Air compressors — typically smaller-range ones — may be “tank-mounted” on top of an air receiver. Space-constrained plants usually opt for this arrangement. However, this won’t work for most larger compressors, as they’re much more top-heavy and would pose a danger.
2. The Importance of Air Receiver Tanks
In addition to storing energy and optimizing the efficiency of compressed air systems, air receiver tanks perform several other important duties.
First, they help regulate compressor controls to prevent short cycling and over pressurization. Failing to install a receiver — or using one that’s too small — will cause a compressor to rapid cycle, which can cause a range of different issues.
Next, an air receiver tank also serves as a second heat exchanger. As air passes through it, the air temperature drops about 10° below what it was after cooling via the first heat exchanger.
Air receiver tanks also precipitate some of the moisture and oil carryover that may be present in the compressed air as it leaves the compressor or is carried over from the after-cooler.
And finally, these versatile tanks help reduce the dew point and temperature spikes that can occur after regeneration.
Learn More
Air receiver tanks serve a critical role in compressed air systems across a range of different industries. In fact, not using one can be downright dangerous.
Need help selecting an air receiver tank for your specific application needs? Reach out to the team at Compressed Air Systems (CAS) today to request a quote and discuss your options with an expert.
Air compressors are used in a variety of industries to provide compressed and pressurized air for many applications. These devices are now even used to power construction and manufacturing equipment and to drive control system valves; earlier compressors were much less versatile. The advent of air compressors dates back thousands of years.
looking at downtime, reduced production, and potentially irritated clients who will take their business elsewhere. The recent supply chain shortages can cause additional delays as you wait for a new compressor or spare part. By simply having your backup compressor ready to go, you can eliminate that downtime and keep your customers happy while you wait for your primary system to get fixed or replaced.
The air has to pass through panel filters and intake filters when it enters the air compressor. In almost any environment, certainly hospitals included, there are a variety of microorganisms in the air, which is why this inline coalescing filtration is in place. It removes a huge number of contaminants.
