General

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 »

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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 »

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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 »

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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 »

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  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 »

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  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 »

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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

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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 »

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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 »

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 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 »

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  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 »

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  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 »

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What is a compressed air receiver tank—and how do you know if you need one? Our 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 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 without running… Read more »

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Thinking about buying a rotary screw air compressor? Read this first to learn how a rotary screw air compressor works, what they are used for, and how they are maintained. Plus, five important questions to ask when determining whether a rotary screw air compressor is right for you. What is a Rotary Screw Air Compressor? A rotary screw air compressor (sometimes called a “twin-screw compressor”) is a type of air compressor that uses a pair of enmeshed helical screws to compress air. As the screws turn, the air is continually compressed. Rotary screw air compressors are widely used for applications… Read more »

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Confused about compressed air pressure drop? You’re not alone. Pressure drop—the loss of air pressure between the air compressor and the endpoint where the air is used—is a common problem with compressed air systems. In addition to causing problems with pneumatic tools and equipment, pressure drop also drives up your energy bills. Understanding the causes of pressure drop in your compressed air system and how to address them could save you hundreds or thousands on your energy bill annually. What is Pressure Drop? Put simply, pressure drop in a compressed air system is the difference between the pressure discharged by… Read more »

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If your processes require ultraclean compressed air, you may think that you need an oil-free air compressor. But in most cases, clean air requirements can be met without the expense and maintenance hassle of an oil-free compressor. Before you spend the money, take a look at the pros and cons of oiled vs. oil-free compressors and see which one is right for you. What is an Oil-Free Air Compressor? Rotary screw air compressors come in two basic varieties: oil-injected (or oil-flooded) and oil-free. As the name implies, an oil-free air compressor does not use oil for lubrication in the compression chamber…. Read more »

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Lubricated air compressors require regular oil changes and maintenance to ensure proper operation. Operators need to understand what kind of oil to use in the air compressor, how often to change the air compressor oil and oil filters, and how to recognize common problems with air compressor oil. This guide will answer your questions about air compressor oil. About Oil-Lubricated Air Compressors Most air compressors used in industrial compressed air systems are lubricated (also known as oil-flooded air compressors). This simply means that oil is used to lubricate moving parts in the air-end (the part of the compressor where the… Read more »

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Air receiver tank safety should be a priority for every compressed air user. Poor maintenance, improper storage, or operation at unsafe pressures can lead to a dangerous air receiver tank failure. This article explores the common causes of air receiver tank failure, safe maintenance and storage for air receiver tanks, and the importance of using ASME-rated compressed air equipment. Your compressed air receiver tank is a type of pressure vessel. It stores air under immense internal pressure over a long period of time. If the tank is not maintained properly, corrosion, stress, and fatigue can lead to a dangerous tank… Read more »

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You may still have frost outside, but spring is just around the corner. When you’re planning your spring cleaning, don’t forget your compressed air system. Spring is the perfect time to assess your industrial air compression system and perform critical maintenance to make sure it is ready for the hot summer months ahead. A thorough spring cleaning of your industrial air compressor and other compressed air system components can prevent expensive repairs and eliminate costly downtime. Of course, you should be conducting most routine maintenance checks daily or weekly throughout the year, following the preventative maintenance guidelines in the user… Read more »

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Wondering how to choose the right air compressor for your facility? In this guide, we’ll cover all the basics, including how air compressors work, the types of air compressors, and air compressor specifications and features to look for. How to Choose the Right Air Compressor  Choosing the right air compressor for industrial and commercial applications can be complicated. The right choice depends on several factors:  How much air (CFM) is required by your applications? What air pressure is needed?   Are your air requirements continuous or sporadic?  Where will the air compressor be used?  Applications for Industrial Air Compressors  An air… Read more »

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