Kaeser Talks Shop

2020

The ABCs of Compressed Air


compressed air basics

You've probably heard this from us before, but at Kaeser we believe that the more you know about operating air systems, the more you'll get out of them. We are committed to offering you the most current information you need to operate and maintain your compressed air system. We've shared some advanced tips for optimizing your air system, but in today's post we're going back to the basics with a glossary of terms used frequently in our industry.

Chemistry and compressed air piping


chemical reaction

Piping connections in existing compressed air system are often made simply by putting two joints together, flanged or threaded. However, when it comes to chemical composition, connecting aluminum directly to brass or copper can cause a chemical reaction called galvanic corrosion. Over time electrons are shed from one material to another. This can cause pitting corrosion, even in your new aluminum piping.

Desiccant dryers: love 'em or leave 'em


desiccant dryers

In 90+% of compressed air systems, refrigerated dryers are a more economical and perfectly suitable solution than desiccant dryers. Some applications or environments truly require using desiccant dryers, but these are exceptions. We only recommend desiccant dryers when necessary, and we often challenge prospects who ask for them. In cases when they are needed we assist them in evaluating the best options in order to minimize the costs.

Desiccant dryers: Love the one you're with


desiccant dryer sizing and maintenance

In this blog post, we’ll help you figure out what size dryer you need, what accessories you might want to add, and how to take care of it so that it continues to do its job well.

Over-sized and Under-utilized: An Epidemic


oversizing epidemic

With over ten thousand air system audits under our belt, we've seen it all and learned a few things. One of the most common problems we see is that most systems have far more capacity than needed. On average, users operate at 44% of peak capacity. It's so common, we'd say it is an epidemic, and even our own customers are not immune despite our efforts to inoculate with education.

It’s not just about energy: The sins of over-sizing, continued


oversizing epidemic

In our last post we discussed compressed air efficiency in terms of specific power and showed you some examples of over-sized systems. We saw that the cost per unit of compressed air goes up as the percent load goes down. In this post we expand on this discussion with more reasons why operating your compressors at full load increases efficiency.

When sizing met safety: a storage tale


storage tale

Compressed air storage receivers are easily forgotten. They have no moving parts (except for the drains) and usually do their jobs quietly and reliably (as long as that drain is looked after). The perform several important functions including: control buffer to limit compressor cycle, moisture removal and store air for short periods of high demand. So the key is to size and locate them properly at the outset so they will provide the necessary storage and allow your compressors to respond efficiently and reliably to system events for many years.

Smart solutions for optimal blast machine performance


sandblasting

We recently collaborated with Clemco Industries on an article and ebook about sandblasting with tips to help users get the best performance from their blast machines. In addition to a properly sized air compressor, one of the most important considerations when working with blast cabinets is air treatment.