10 Compressed Air Energy Saving Tips

21 Jul 11

Modern Machine Shop recently listed a relevant BLOG on energy saving tips for Air Compressors by Kaeser Compressors.
 
1. Turn off your air compressors when not needed. A 100-hp compressor can cost $75,000 per year in energy costs (based on 8,760 hours at $0.10 per kilowatt hour).
 
2. Identify and fix air leaks. Studies show that 25 to 50 percent of all compressed air generated is wasted to leaks.
 
3. Eliminate inappropriate uses of compressed air. Using compressed air for blow-off is not only wasteful, but it can be dangerous as well. In fact, using more than 30 psi for part and fixture blow-off is an OSHA violation.
 
4. Apply proper controls to multiple-compressor systems. Master system controls maintain a stable system pressure. They also ensure that only the needed compressor units are brought online and that they are operating at peak efficiency.
 
5. Ensure that piping and storage are adequately sized. Many systems lack adequate storage. (Kaeser recommends having both “wet” and “dry” tanks.) Also, undersized piping will increase pressure drop in the system.
 
6. Change filters routinely to eliminate pressure drop. Every 2 psi in pressure drop reduces compressor horsepower efficiency by 1 percent.
 
7. Consider automatic, zero-loss condensate drains. Capacitance-sensor-operated drain traps don’t need to be monitored. Plus, they discharge only condensate, not valuable compressed air.
 
8. Apply variable-speed-drive compressors where appropriate. Variable-speed drive is not a one-size-fits-all solution. However, if demand varies, it can save thousands of dollars in electricity costs each year.
 
9. Reduce operating pressure to the lowest possible setting. Every 2 psi reduction in system operating pressure saves 1 percent in compressor efficiency.
 
10. Recover waste heat from coolers. A 50-horsepower compressor rejects heat at approximately 126,000 BTU per hour. How might that heat be used?

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