Posts by Brad Taylor

Ever wonder how much motor grease is enough when pumping it into a motor? Or what type of grease is the best? We wondered the same so we invited in John Wojdyla from Timken, to educate us on bearing greasing. We took our previous knowledge and combined it with what he taught us to produce the below information. The challenge we face as an air compressor service company, is that we maintain many different brands of compressors that use different brands of motors, some of which are domestic and many that are European and Asian. To add to the confusion,… 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 all… Read more »

How does cold weather affect your compressed air system? Freezing winter temperatures can have adverse effects on your air compressor, air dryer, and compressed air system accessories. Here’s what you need to know about cold weather air compressor maintenance and operation. Most compressed air systems are designed to operate in temperatures above 40° Fahrenheit. In the winter months, if your system is not in a heated indoor environment, ambient air temperatures may drop below freezing. When this happens, your compressed air system may sustain both short-term and long-lasting damage. This happens because compressed air systems generate condensate, which can freeze… 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 »

Did you know that you could get leaks in your compressed air system fixed for free? Yes, free. This is not a trick! It’s a program from ComEd—and a benefit you’re entitled to as a ComEd client. Fluid-Aire Dynamics is an approved service provider under the ComEd Fix-It-Now leak repair program, a benefit provided for ComEd customers in Northern Illinois. Here’s how it works: Contact Natasha Taylor, Fix-It-Now Program Specialist, at 224-529-1408 or natasha.taylor@fluidairedynamics.com to sign up. Our technician finds leaks in your system using an ultrasonic detector, which can detect even the smallest air leak. If the leaks can… Read more »

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 »

What is a compressed air receiver tank—and how do you know if you need one? Our 2020 guide to compressed air receiver tanks explains how they work, what they do, and how you can use them to maximize the efficiency of your compressed air system.  What Is a Compressed Air Receiver Tank? An air receiver tank (sometimes called an air compressor tank or compressed air storage tank) is exactly what it sounds like: a tank that receives and stores compressed air after it exits the air compressor. This gives you a reserve of compressed air that you can draw on… 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 »

A compressed air receiver tank (sometimes called an air compressor tank or compressed air storage tank) is a type of pressure vessel that holds compressed air under high pressure. Air enters the air receiver tank after it exits the air compressor and is held there for future use. It provides a reserve of compressed air that you can draw on without running your air compressor. What is the Purpose of an Air Receiver Tank? The air receiver tank has three main functions in your compressed air system: It stores compressed air that can be used for short, high-demand events. It… Read more »

What is the Optimal Temperature Range for a Compressed Air System? How does ambient temperature affect the performance of your air compressor? Temperature plays a bigger role in air compressor performance than you might think. Air compressors are often subject to temperature extremes, especially if they are installed outdoors or in a warehouse without temperature controls. Large swings in temperature can lead to air compressor overheating in the summer or freezing in the winter. Understanding the optimal operating temperature for your compressed air system will help you avoid heat- or cold-related damage to your air compressor and extend the life… Read more »

Inline filters are used to keep your compressed air clean and free of particulates and oils that are passed from your compressed air equipment into your system. These filters can technically be placed anywhere in the compressed air piping systems. Some of the most common placements are the following: Directly after the commercial air compressor Before and after the air dryer (refrigerated air dryers, desiccant air dryers) Just prior to point of use (i.e. on each compressed air drop) All of the above Or any other way that is specific to your system’s needs Keep in mind, the better the compressed… Read more »

1. How large is your demand? Rotary screw air compressors are especially durable and are able to handle large amounts of demand for extended periods of time. They are still more efficient and durable in smaller horse powers than piston compressors, but this is noticeable when getting into larger demands (i.e. 15 horsepower and more). Rotary screw air compressors are designed to run at 100% duty cycle, day in and day out. 2. Is lifetime cost important to you? While yes, a rotary screw compressor may have higher air compressor maintenance cost and/or initial capital cost, the lifetime expectancy is… Read more »

How does pressure drop cost me money? Every compressed air user needs to understand the importance of minimizing pressure drop. Pressure drop is costing you money if, in order to maintain the desired pressure at your point-of-use, you have to run your air compressor at a higher pressure than the minimum pressure needed to keep your factory operating. It takes more energy to produce air at a higher pressure, and energy costs money. To put it in context: If a machine only needs 90 PSI to function properly, but you have to operate your air compressor at 120 PSI in… Read more »

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 »

Proper repair and preventative maintenance on your equipment is essential to your business running smoothly — especially when it comes to equipment like your compressed air system, which is integral in keeping your operation running. So, when it comes to finding an equipment service provider, finding a quality provider can be the difference between your equipment running efficiently and dealing with unplanned downtime. How can you you determine if an equipment service provider is the right fit? There are three things you should expect from a quality service provider, no matter what equipment they service. Let’s dive into each in… 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 a… Read more »

How does a backup compressor help my business? Let’s use a manufacturing business as a perfect example; compressed air is vital for operations, and if it goes down, you may as well turn off the lights and count your losses. You will soon find out that besides losing production uptime when the compressor is down, it may also spoil the current product that is in your lineup when you go down. For example, if a food manufacturer goes down, not only do they lose the hours of production that they are down, but whatever is currently in their production line… Read more »