Methods to improve

performance of
compressed air system
Energy conservation in compressed air system
Group members
• Sagar Gawade
• Sunny Kadam
• Anand Dongare
Index Table
 Introduction
 Advantages and disadvantages of compressed air
 Methods to improve performance of compressed air
system
 Conclusion
Methods to improve performance of
compressed air system
1. Location and size of filters
2. Elevation
3. Intercooling in between the stages
4. Aftercoolers and condensation of moisture in air
5. Control of pressures
6. Leakages
7. Length of pipes and fittings
8. Use of blowers in place of compressed air system
9. Variables
10. Misuse of compressed air
11. Pneumatic tools such as drills and grinders
1. Location and size of filters

 Important role on the amount of energy consume

 Reduction in 4 degree celcius of lower inlet temperature
results into reduction of energy by 1% approximately
 Air filters are used to supply clean air at suction to
compressors to avoid wear of moving parts
 200 mm of water pressure drop across the filter results
into increase in power consumtion by 1.6 % approximately
2 . Elevation
 The altitude of a place has a direct impact on the
volumetric efficiency of the compressor.
 It is evident that compressors located at higher altitudes
consume more power to achieve a particular delivery
pressure than those at sea level, as the compression ratio
is higher.
3. Intercooling in between the stages
 Intercoolers are provided to reduce power requirement to run the
compressor.
 The extent of power saved depends on the intercooling of air carried out in
the intercooler.

4 . Aftercoolers and condensation of moisture in air

 Aftercoolers are provided to cool the compressed air before supplied to
receiver.
 It results in economy in size and cost of receiver.
 It is necessary to remove moisture from the air by installing moisture
separator and traps.
5. Control of pressures

 The compressed air system does not operate always at maximum pressures.
 It is estimated that increase in 1 bar delivery pressure increases the power
consumption by 6% to 9% .

6 . Leakages
 It is necessary to eliminate leakages as far as possible.
 Leakage tests are conducted by ultrasonic leak detectors.
 Another method of leak detection is by conducting no load test. The load on
the compressor will eventually reflects that there is leakage in the system.
7 . Length of pipes and fittings

 Air distribution system should be such that the length of pipe upto point of use
is minimum and uses minimum pipe fittings and joints so as reduce the pressure
losses.
 The piping system should be arrange in closed loop or ring mains.

8 . Use of blowers in place of compressed air system

 Blowers must be used for low pressure applications instead of compressed air
e.g. in agitation, air for combustion of fuel, conveying materials in pipes.

9 . Variables
 Variable speed drives should be used for capacity control of compressors to
reduce power consumption.
10 . Misuse of compressed air

 Misuse of compressed air should be avoided for cleaning of floors, equipment

cleaning etc.

11 . Pneumatic tools such as drills and grinders

 Pneumatic tools such as drills and grinders be replaced by motor driven tools
wherever possible since energy consumption is almost 5% to 10% compressed
air system.
Conclusion :

We have successfully explained the advantages and

disadvantages of compressed air and methods to improve
performance of compressed air system.