Last week we put your knowledge to the test with our pop quiz. Grab your answer sheet and check your responses with those from our Atlas Copco experts. 1. To offer pressures higher than standard 100 psig in a fixed speed, direct coupled drive air compressor (in which the motor shaft is directly conn

Getting your compressed air system ready for winter takes time. There are many steps you need to take, and it’s best to begin early. Even though winter doesn’t officially begin until December 22, now is the time to ensure your system can handle the coming months and the frigid weather they bring. Th

Last week we discussed how to begin getting your compressed air system ready for winter. Today we’re continuing the series with a focus on weatherization. Weatherizing your compressed air system and facility is an important step when preparing for colder months to make sure your compressor continues

Today is the third and final post in our series on winterizing your compressed air system. Missed the first two installments? Check out part 1 and part 2 for the full story on getting your compressors ready for winter. Recover heat to see savings A great way to save money on your system during the w

Editors Note: This post was originally published in 2016 and has been completely updated for accuracy, comprehensiveness, and new information. This weekend marks the July 4th holiday, and we’re betting that many of our readers are going to celebrate with an ice-cold beer! Made from four primary ing

The rotary tooth compressor is a type of displacement compressor. Displacement compressors enclose air in a chamber and reduce the volume through displacement of one or more moving parts to increase the pressure. There are many types of displacement compressors including scroll, screw, diaphragm, va

Over the past 200 years, industrialization has drastically increased the pace of life, especially within the transportation industry. With the advent of the steam engine in 1814, the automobile in the late 1800s and the airplane in 1903, older, slower and less reliable methods of transportation quic

Properly maintaining your compressed air system is essential. Routine and preventative maintenance can lead to decreased energy costs, better system pressure control and longer machine life. But where do you find a maintenance provider that meets your repair needs? Some operators turn to in-house ma

Electronic circuits are the hidden workers behind many of the devices we use every day. Found in smartphones, computers, digital watches and televisions, this ubiquitous technology would not be possible without compressed air powering the production process. But before we look at how oil-free air he

In the past we shared tips for determining where to house your compressor. Once you’ve found the ideal home for your compressor, you need be mindful of a few key factors to ensure it continues working properly and efficiently. Housing your compressor in a separate room saves space on the work floor

Before buying a compressor, it’s always smart to do some research. There are so many varieties of compressors that it can be overwhelming at first. Below are some common choices you may face when determining which compressor is best for your facility. Fixed speed or VSD? Whether or not you need a fi

We frequently discuss the differences between oil-free and oil-injected air compressors and their uses in various industries. While oil-free compressors are essential for pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and semiconductor production, oil-injected compressors are great for operation in harsh enviro

The following is an excerpt from the article Recover Heat from Air Compression by Deepak Vetal, product marketing manager, oil-free screw, centrifugal, and high-pressure air, Atlas Copco Compressors. The full version can be read online or in the September issue of Chemical Processing. Manufacturers

Rotors are a vital component of many air compressors. Any compressor that contains a rotating element used in the compression process is a type of rotary compressor. All dynamic compressors and some displacement compressors fall into this category. Today we’ll take a look at rotor vocabulary to bett

Air naturally contains some moisture. Depending on where you are, there could be a high amount of moisture in the air (think Orlando, Florida or Houston, Texas) or very little moisture (think Death Valley, California). This moisture, also called humidity, can have drastic implications on your manufa

Filters play a vital role in the compressed air process. Depending on the end use, strict purity standards require a variety of contaminants to be removed, including oil aerosols, vapors and particulates. Contaminants can enter the compressed air from a variety of sources. Intake air can introduce d

Leaks can be costly. A quarter-inch air leak at 100 psi can waste as much as $8,000 in energy costs per year. Depending on the age of the compressor system, as much as 20 percent of compressor costs are due to leaks. But while leaks are easy to see in your energy bill, they are harder to spot in the

Standing water in natural gas pipelines can spell disaster. When water is introduced to a pipeline it can have two main effects. The first is flow restriction. Water lying in the bottom of a pipe reduces interior diameter, requiring greater pressure to maintain flow rate. While inconvenient, this is

Piping is a vital component in a compressed air system. Once air is compressed, dried and filtered, it is sent to an end use. Along the way, there is a risk of contamination and pressure drops. Keep these five factors in mind when designing your compressed air piping system to help minimize risk of

When compressed air is cooled, it produces condensate, a combination of water vapor and aerosol in liquid form. Condensate is a normal byproduct of cooling, but it can be dangerous for the compressed air system if not removed properly. Condensate forms in various parts of the compressed air system i