Rolling Stage 6 load shedding has focused many engineers’ minds on making efficient use of the available energy, especially if the power source is their own generator set. Compressed air is a major consumer of power in any factory, and much of it ends up as air leaks in the factory distribution system. Energy is easily wasted by poorly performing air compressors that waste electricity and do not provide the rated airflow rates. Energy wastage is not sustainable and escalates production costs.
Benchmarking compressed air usage
Artic Driers International provides clients with efficiency tests that show the actual kilowatts consumed per cubic metre. Establishing compressor efficiency in this way highlights the poor performers in a company’s fleet. Along with this, Artic provides localised, mobile airflow monitoring of any pipework system, including airline velocity, dewpoint and pressure, and even the water consumption of the compressor.
Velocity measurement is a good way of identifying when a pipeline is becoming too small for the existing airflows – undersized pipes restrict airflow and decrease the pressure available to the applications, and waste precious electrical power as a result.
The use of a fixed-installation, S305 dewpoint monitor is a low-cost way of monitoring an existing air dryer’s dewpoint performance at a very reasonable price. This can be connected to a scada system to produce performance reports.
Mobile quality testing
For clients that require ISO 8573 air auditing in a mobile format, Artic is able to monitor particle, dewpoint and residual oil levels from one mobile S600 audit box, which also has the ability to monitor gases. The company can perform audits on a routine rotation to ensure that clinics and hospitals comply with in-house and international standards.
Ultrasonic leak detection
Artic also offers compressed air and vacuum and steam ultrasonic leak detection, allowing it to verify the volume of a leak as well as the cost of the wastage. This is an effective, systematic way of quickly eliminating wasted compressed air from your system.
Allen Cockfield is the CEO of the family operated specialist air treatment company, Artic Driers International, a leading importer of quality air treatment products including the Suto iTEC brand.
It’s full steam ahead for SKF’s sustainable leak detection solution SKF South Africa
Pneumatic systems & components
One of SKF’s key customers based in Cape Town, which depends on steam systems for its production processes, was facing costly challenges related to high energy consumption and excessive maintenance hours. SKF recommended the TKSU 10 ultrasonic leak detector as a more streamlined, user-friendly alternative.
Read more...A guide for compressed air dryer selection Artic Driers International
Pneumatic systems & components
Clean and dry compressed air is essential in today’s modern operating environment. Without an air dryer and filter bank in line, the downtime created by condensate can be substantial. However, there are issues about air dryer selection and the impact of geographic location that need careful consideration prior to placing an order.
Read more...Easy to use energy management tool for compressed air Comtest
Pneumatic systems & components
For the efficient management of plant operations, the critical considerations include product quality, safety, downtime, and energy use. A production plant in Germany has set a greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal of 25% by 2030, and turned to the Plant Energy manager to help deliver that target.
Read more...Compressed air solutions for efficient pneumatic conveying
Pneumatic systems & components
Moving goods through pipes from one point to another using air - pneumatic conveying - is an extremely efficient method of transporting a great variety of products, provided that the right system is used, and that it’s done correctly.
Read more...Compressed air preparation Artic Driers International
Pneumatic systems & components
The choice of compressed air dryers is driven by the air quality demands of your plant.
Read more...Compressed air treatment do’s and don’ts Artic Driers International
Editor's Choice Pneumatic systems & components
As a long-established importer and manufacturer of air dryers, Artic Dryers often sees the results of poor installation and issues with aftercoolers that create serious problems in air drying systems.
Read more...Next-gen air compressors for plastics manufacturer
Pneumatic systems & components
Integrated Air Solutions has reinforced its partnership with global compressor manufacturer, ABC Compressors by facilitating the installation and commissioning of two next-generation direct-drive ABC machines for a prominent plastic manufacturer in South Africa.
Read more...Acoustic imaging detector for gas leaks and partial discharge Artic Driers International
Hydraulic systems & components
The new SUTO iTEC S532 acoustic imaging detector provides an easy and effective way to locate pressurised air and gas leaks and partial discharge (PD) in industrial high-voltage environments.
Read more...Seamless compressed air supply
Pneumatic systems & components
The efficient performance of compressed air systems is the foundation for seamless production processes and sustainable business. The adoption of a comprehensive service plan delivered by an OEM like Atlas Copco is key to overall compressor performance, efficiency, reliability, and long lifecycle.
Read more...Selection of two-port valves: an open and shut case SMC Corporation South Africa
Pneumatic systems & components
Little consideration is generally given to two-port valves because they are often perceived as simple devices that only open and close to control downstream fluid supply. Although this is mechanically true, choosing the optimal two-port valve for your application can make a big difference, saving space, weight and energy consumption.
printer friendly version