For many industries, the compressed air system is the complete lifeline for the production or application. A compressor isn’t just the cost of the initial capital purchase, it’s also the cost of all components that make up the entire compressed air system, on top of the ongoing service and maintenance costs which filter in throughout it’s lifetime. This being said, optimising your compressed air system to function to the best of its ability should be top priority!

We’ve selected 3 important areas for you to focus on when upgrading your compressed air system…

1. Energy savings

Energy consumption is possibly the most prominent factor when it comes to your compressed air system, with it being the most expensive component and factoring into almost every other consideration.

So, how can we ensure we’re managing it and making any potential savings?

  • Schedule an energy audit: A standard audit would consist of installing data loggers for a minimum of 1 week, including weekends, to capture an overview of production demands before presenting a ROI evaluation. The data logging equipment allows us to compile a detailed survey of your compressed air systems condition, monitoring everything from pressure, flow, energy, operating temperature and dew point, as well as carbon reduction.
  • Get a leak detection survey: Air leakage is the single largest waste of compressed air, so you don’t want to miss this. Compressed air leak detection surveys are used to locate leaks, estimate leakage costs, calculate repair costs and provide a detailed report for corrective actions.
  • Consider heat recovery: You may already know that a massive percentage of the electrical input to a compressor is lost as heat, but were you aware that it could be converted to useful energy? Instead of simply removing the heat, it can be used to generate hot water, heating systems and application processes in other areas of the installation.
  • Flow monitoring: Flow meters measure the production and consumption of compressed air and are used to establish baseline air flows and energy use. This equipment helps identify potential savings, overloads and weak points within your system to pinpoint where improvements for efficiency are needed.
  • Get a system assessment: Direct Air are happy to offer free system assessments, with the ability to provide you with potential cost and energy savings in just 15 minutes.

2. Air quality

You might already have your compressed air system up and running, but do you have the correct air quality that your industry or end-point product requires?

Compressed air typically has three main contaminants – water, particles and oil – and having these substances come into contact with production for many industries simply isn’t acceptable. This is especially important for industries such as food and beverage and pharmaceutical if the air comes into direct contact with the product or indirect contact with the packaging.

Direct Air provide air quality testing services for both high quality air and breathing air standards including ISO 8573, ISO 12500, and ISO 7183.

3. Nitrogen Generation

If you don’t currently use nitrogen alongside your compressed air system, have you researched whether it could be the better solution for you?

Well, if you’re working with electronic applications, metal processing or beverage applications, it could be fitting for you. Also in other industries such as food and drink, medical supplies, chemical processing where C02 is currently being used, nitrogen generation could serve as a perfect alternative to combat current and future C02 shortages.

Finally, if you are already using this product, but are still getting bottled N2 delivered to your site, then onsite nitrogen generation could be much more efficient and beneficial, by saving costs, time and reducing your carbon footprint.

Don’t forget, Direct Air can provide and offer more information for all of these services, so do not hesitate to contact us if to enquire regarding all of the above.