Preparing Your Compressed Air System For Summer

The summer heat may be fun for those of us that can take a vacation, but likely your compressed air system doesn’t get a break. It is important to make sure your compressor is ready for the increase in temperature that is coming. Here are 7 ways to keep your air system up and running efficiently this summer.

Why is Warm Weather So Hard On Compressed Air Systems?

Warm air has the capacity to hold much more moisture than cool air. Air treatment experts cite the 20-Degree rule. For every 20°F temperature increase in the air, that air's ability to hold moisture doubles. This means that your compressed air system will struggle more in the summer as dew points rise and the air begins to hold more moisture.

Moisture in the air can lead to a host of issues, including corrosion, damaged seals and clogged filters. If not dealt with appropriately, this can lead to damaged product in your facility. Here are a few steps you can take to ensure proper care of your compressed air system.

1: Clean Air and Oil Filters

Regular filter changes can maximize longevity and uptime of your compressor. This becomes increasingly important during the hot summer months. Dirty filters can cause your compressor to overheat and perform at a much lower efficiency level. Clean oil and air filters and replace them as necessary.

A factory service program is a great way to make sure your filters get the proper service. A routine check every 1,000 hours takes care of both the air and oil filters.

2: Check Oil

Lubricant is the life blood of your compressor. Heat is the largest factor in lubricant degradation. For example, if you take a lubricant over 190°F, the life of it will reduce by 1,000 hours. Varnish not only decreases the oil life, but also increases the energy consumption, wear and operating temperature of the compressor.

During the hot summer months, check your lubricant and test it for signs of degradation and change it if necessary.

3: Clean Coolers

Make sure you clean your coolers so that they can function properly, so your compressor doesn’t overheat. Clear out anything that could be blocking it at the beginning of summer and remember to clean coolers consistently throughout the summer.

4: Clear Drains

As previously mentioned, warm air can hold more moisture. This increased humidity means that more condensate will be draining from your system. To prepare for this, check your drains and clear them of any blockages and fix any issues with them.

Improperly cleared or neglected drains are the #1 cause of issues in compressed air dryers. Check your drains frequently in summer months. This ensures they are working properly so that you don’t have a condensate backup in your drains.

5: Keep the Compressor Room Cool

Compressor rooms shouldn’t get to an ambient temperature above 100°F. If the ambient temperature is too high, compressors will not run as efficiently and are at risk of overheating.

To keep the compressor room cool, proper ventilation is needed to bring in cool air. Ideally, ducting should remove hot air from the room. Ensure the ducting is properly carrying the hot air away from the compressor room instead of depositing it somewhere that may end up back in the system. Check that louvers are open to promote air flow in and out of the room.

Looking to utilize the heat from your compressor? Ducting the compressed air discharge heat elsewhere in your facility is a great way to save on energy bills and remove heat from the compressor room.

RELATED: 8 WAYS TO INCRESAE THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF YOUR COMPRESSED AIR SYSTEM

6: Adjust Water Cooling System

Make sure to adjust the temperature of your compressor’s inlet water when dealing with a water-cooled unit. Monitor your compressor’s temperature levels throughout the summer to see if it requires a lower temperature setting to keep it from overheating.

7: Perform Maintenance on Treatment Equipment and Receivers

In addition to performing maintenance on the air compressor, the dryer, filters and receiver should be checked for proper operation and efficiency. The high temperature that comes with summer can create problems for these pieces of equipment as well.

Common Summer Failures

Proper care of your compressed air system will minimize the risk of a breakdown that can shut down your facility. Typical system failures due to warm temperatures include:

1. Shutdown caused by overheating
2. Dryer overload
3. Oil breakdown as heat accelerates degradation
4. Pressure drops

To avoid costing your facility precious time and money, perform preventative maintenance on your system before and during the summer. If you do need emergency service, repair, or parts, our local technicians are available 24/7 in your area so you can continue to enjoy your summer.