Posts by Brad Taylor

There is really only one key difference between fixed speed and variable speed drive ; Variable speed drive (VSD) rotary screw air compressors are an increasingly popular choice for companies seeking to reduce energy costs and qualify for energy company incentives. How do you know if a VSD air compressor is right for you? Learn the benefits of VSD, when to use a VSD vs. a fixed speed compressor, and why you may want to consider using both. What is a Variable Speed Drive Air Compressor? A variable speed drive (VSD) controls the frequency supplied to the drive motor on the air… Read more »

By Derrick Taylor, Director, Fluid-Aire Dynamics What is the best pipe material to use for a compressed air system? Manufacturers have many options when it comes to compressed air piping materials. As with most decisions, the choice in piping material comes down to tradeoffs between cost, performance, longevity and aesthetics. Here are some of the most common materials used for compressed air piping and the pros and cons of each. Plastic Pipe Plastic compressed air piping is cheap, lightweight, easy to install and non-corrosive. However, not all plastics are the same. If you are using plastic piping, it is important… Read more »

Air compressor preventative maintenance (PM) is essential for the safe and efficient operation of your compressed air system. But most facility maintenance technicians don’t know all the ins and outs of proper air compressor equipment maintenance. Here’s what building managers and maintenance staff should know—and how you can reduce the burden of compressed air system PMs. Why Air Compressor Maintenance Matters A poorly maintained air compressor will end up costing your company money, both directly and indirectly. Some of these costs include: Higher energy costs due to overloaded filters, blockages, inadequate lubrication, and other problems that cause your air compressor… Read more »

Are You Letting Money Escape Into Thin Air? If your compressed air system has unrepaired leaks, the answer is yes. Leaks in your compressed air system may be increasing your compressed air energy bills by more than 30%. Since compressed air is usually one of the largest energy expenses for a manufacturer using air-powered equipment, that represents a significant opportunity for energy savings. Fortunately, finding and fixing compressed air leaks is a relatively simple and cost-effective process. Thanks to energy incentives provided by most energy suppliers—including ComEd in Northern Illinois—you may even be able to get compressed air leaks fixed… Read more »

Is the PSI of your compressed air system too high? As many as 80% of manufacturers are running their systems at a higher PSI than necessary for their production processes. Reducing the PSI of your plant may be your largest—and easiest—an opportunity for energy savings. Best of all? Many of the things you can do to reduce your plant pressure are very inexpensive — or even free!

Do you need an oil-water separator for your compressed air system? The answer is probably yes. An external oil-water separator is essential for proper maintenance of your compressed air system and compliance with environmental regulations for disposal of compressed air condensate.   What Is an Oil/Water Separator?  An oil-water separator (sometimes called a condensate separator) is exactly what it sounds like: a device that separates oils and lubricants from liquid water. The oil-water separator collects condensate from your air compressor, tank, filters, and dryer, and removes the oil from the water prior to putting it down the drain. It also eliminates… Read more »

Do you know how to calculate dew point and relative humidity for your compressed air system? Understanding these measures and how they are related will help you maintain your compressed air system at optimal performance. To minimize condensation problems in your system, it is important to know how much moisture is in the air vs. how much moisture the air is capable of holding. Measuring or calculating your dew point and relative humidity (RH) can help you avoid problems with your compressed air system and production applications. Here’s how to know if your pressure dew point is too high—and what… Read more »

If you are using PVC or CPVC for your compressed air system, you may be putting people and property at risk. PVC is not a safe or approved material for compressed air piping. In fact, the use of PVC piping for compressed air can lead to dangerous or deadly explosions. Here, we’ll explain the problems with PVC, why it should never be used to conduct compressed air, and what you should do if your current system contains PVC.   Why PVC Pipe Should Not Be Used for Compressed Air Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and its cousin, chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), are… Read more »

Draining excess water from your compressed air system is very important to maintain the longevity of your system and keep moisture out of your compressed air supply. Fortunately, draining condensate from your compressed air system is easy with either manual or automatic drain valves. Learn why draining your air compressor, air dryers, receiver tanks and other components of your compressed air system is important, what kind of drains you need, and how often to drain your air system components. Why do I need to drain water from my compressed air system? Draining the condensate that builds up inside your compressed… Read more »

How do you adjust the pressure of your compressed air for downstream tools and applications? A compressed air regulator allows you to control the pressure of air going into your air-powered equipment. Regulating the pressure (PSI) of the compressed air at the point-of-use can be important to protect pneumatic equipment and ensure the safety and efficiency of your operations. Here’s what you need to know about the air compressor regulator.  What is an air compressor regulator? The air compressor regulator is, as its name implies, a device that regulates pressure (PSI) for your compressed air needs. It controls airflow from… Read more »

How do you fix a noisy air compressor? Industrial air compressors can produce a lot of noise, but there are ways to quiet the din. Sound insulation, sound absorption, vibration dampening, and general maintenance can make a big difference in actual or perceived noise levels from the compressor. Here are ten tips for muffling a loud air compressor and creating a quieter, more pleasant workplace. 1.    Choose a quieter compressor model.  Noise levels for an air compressor can vary quite a bit between models. Rotary screw air compressors typically operate within a range of 70-75 dB—equivalent to standing next… Read more »

I bet as a business owner, or even as a great employee, you are always thinking of ways to improve your company’s efficiency. Compressed air is used in many different industries all over the world for a variety of critical operations. Read on to learn 11 tips for reducing air consumption and energy costs. Remember, compressed air is not only your 4th utility, but also your most expensive utility. 1. Eliminate pressure drop: A few of the major contributors to pressure drop are inadequate pipe sizes, undersized and dirty filtration, excessive filtration, inadequate storage, and air compressor maintenance issues. 2. Install low… Read more »

  Time to Upgrade Your Compressed Air System? Your Energy Company Might Pay the Bill. Upgrading your compressed air system from a fixed-speed to a variable-speed drive (VSD) can deliver big savings on your energy bill. But did you know that your energy company may help you pay for the cost of the upgrade? You could get thousands of dollars back on the purchase of a VSD compressor or other energy-saving improvements for your compressed air system.  Understanding Energy Company Incentives for Compressed Air Systems  ComEd (Chicago and Northern Illinois), Xcel Energy (Minneapolis area), and many other energy providers nationwide… Read more »

  We spend a lot of time visiting manufacturers and talking to them about their industrial compressed air systems. Over the years, we’ve come to realize that there are a lot of misconceptions about compressed air. If you believe any of the compressed air myths below, you could be losing a lot more money than you realize.  Myth #1: Compressed air is free!  Well, you might not think compressed air is free, exactly, but you may not realize exactly how much it costs. Compressed air is the “fourth utility” for manufacturers, right up there with electricity, gas and water. And… Read more »

Fluid-Aire Dynamics trusts PneuTech compressors, dryers, in-line filtration and parts and supplies. These quality products provide exceptional value while providing the highest efficiency. Learn more about the product line-up and why we strongly recommend PneuTech in this short video.  If you have additional questions, submit them through our contact form or call us to talk to an expert.  Chicago (847) 610-6814 – Minneapolis (612) 246-3432 – Milwaukee (414) 273-1994

Given how crucial compressed air supply is to manufacturing systems, unplanned downtime on your compressed air system can be a critical problem for your operations. Afterall, when your system goes down, your business shuts down, too. Not only do you have to pay to repair the system, but you’re losing valuable money you could be making by operating your business! Yet due to the amount of work compressed air systems go through (such as running continuously, generating heat, ingesting dirt, etc.), unexpected downtime is practically a given if you aren’t proactively caring for your system. Luckily, we have five easy… Read more »

 You’ve made a sizable investment into your air compressor, so you’ll want to get the most life from it that is possible. Here are some simple air compressor tips and tricks that will help you achieve years of trouble-free operation. Follow instructions – It may seem obvious, but reading the manual for your air compressor is a small time investment with big payoff. You’ll learn the maintenance schedule as well as operating guidelines for your compressor. With this information, you can extend the life of your equipment and minimize downtime. Check oil levels daily – For compressors that use oil,… Read more »

  We’re reaching into the grab bag to answer your top questions about industrial air compressor maintenance and system design. Don’t see your question answered here? Contact us with any other issues that are on your mind. One of our compressed air system experts will be happy to help! 1. How do I dispose of used air compressor oil? Air compressor oil is toxic to humans and animals and can cause problems in the environment if it is not disposed of properly. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates disposal of used oil from air compressors and other industrial equipment. Both… Read more »

  Your air compressor’s location in your facility is critical to how it performs. But do you know exactly what you need to consider when determining where your compressor should go? The location not only affects the compressor’s own functioning… it can affect your facility’s efficiency and your employees’ productivity, too! To help you find the perfect location for your unit, here are six key factors you need to consider before locking in its location. 1. Serviceability and Accessibility Your air compressor should always be accessible for servicing. A rule of thumb is to place your compressor somewhere that allows… Read more »