Maintaining air compressor systems is simple but very important! It requires combating heat, moisture, and loss of air pressure, to ensure peak levels of performance and also prevent early degradation of the compressor system. Heat causes motors, bearings, and oil to break down while moisture can affect the internal parts of the compressor by corrosion and microbial growth. Loss of air pressure makes the compressor do more work for the same volume of compressed air. So, in order to ensure the smooth running of operations, avoid interruptions and unexpected downtime, it is crucial to maintain the compressor at regular intervals. In this blog, we take a look at the measures that need to be taken.
Maintain the Coolers and Filters
- Heat being the number one enemy of compressors, it is extremely important to keep the intercoolers and aftercoolers clean. These cool the air between the stages and after compressing the air respectively.
- It must also be ensured that the oil cooler is working properly. This is mainly responsible to prevent the degradation of oil and reduction in its life with rising in temperatures. Regular testing of the compressor oil is an important maintenance practice to predict the breakdown of oil before it becomes problematic.
- The air inlet must be kept safe from dust, dirt, and contaminants. Regular replacement of air filters is very effective in keeping the air compressor clean on the inside.
Remove Compressed Air Condensate
- As air is compressed, it ejects excess water that it cannot hold. In the humid spring season, this water could gush into your distribution system while in winters it can freeze inside the system and damage the piping. Clogged traps and stuck open valves must be regularly checked to ensure the removal of condensate from the system.
- It’s important to check the drain valve regularly to ensure only clean and dry air is coming out. Any presence of moisture indicates retention of the condensate in the compressor and must be treated immediately to prevent corrosion and fungal and bacterial growth inside the system.
Avoid Compressed Air Pressure Loss
- It is essential that the air pressure is maintained at the level suitable for your operations. Any drop in the pressure means the system is not operating at peak efficiency vis-à-vis the consumption of energy.
- Change the inline filters and point of use filters as soon as they reach saturation. It is recommended that these elements are changed when the indicator reaches 6-8 PSI. Besides the filters must be inspected twice a year to ensure that they haven’t been compromised.
For assistance to decide on the air compressor that suits your needs the best, feel free to contact us on +919819907445. We would be happy to assist you in finding the best match based on your requirements. As one of the leading ELGi air compressor dealers, VEMC provides seamless services to its clients. VEMC is ISO 9001:2015 certified and is a pioneer in the field of electromechanical engineering products, allied equipment, and services.