As an owner of a compressed air system, chances you will be concentrating on your project at hand, not the compressor. This means that you’ll rarely give any attention to your piping system.
However, it’s essential to communicate that the piping system is also necessary. You should ensure that you’re consistently paying attention to the piping system to ensure your compressor works as expected.
Compressed Air Systems and Piping Installations
During compressed air system installation, various types of air systems are available, and the decision on which method is best for you will depend on several factors. The crucial aspect is considering the application for which compressed air will be employed. Once you have a clear understanding of this, you’ll need to determine the extent of portability that might be required and the power necessary to drive the system.
Other factors worth considering are the environment in which the system will be used and whether it will be used indoors or outdoors. After that, you should decide on the level of maintenance you’re willing to perform and how often you’ll conduct maintenance checks.
The following are different types of air systems:
Oil-free air compressor
If you require an air system that delivers oil-free compressed air, this is the best system. Using this type of system means there’s no need for an aftercooler since the discharge temperature is low. Additionally, the system doesn’t require a filter, and therefore no oil is released into the atmosphere. A small quantity of oil is injected into the compression chamber to ensure that the piston rings are lubricated.
Once the air has been compressed, it passes through an intercooler where its temperature is reduced. Finally, it goes through a final cooling stage where a water-cooled aftercooler ensures that the compressed air is cooled to the required temperature.
Oil-lubricated air compressor
This is the most common type of air compressor, and its working principle is based on oil being used to lubricate all moving parts. The advantage of this system is that it’s easy to find and purchase since it’s widely available. Additionally, the system is designed to be used for a wide range of applications.
Conclusion
The uses of pipes in compressed air systems are necessary to ensure that your compressor works as expected. Additionally, the type of piping system you choose will be dependent on various factors, such as the application for which compressed air will be employed. Contact ACMS Group for more information on installing a compressed air system.