* According to Compressed Air Challenge of the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Industrial
Technologies, the total cost of 100 psig compressed air has been calculated to be in the general range
of 18 to 32 cents per 1,000 cubic foot. (Source: Best Practices for Compressed Air Systems by
Compressed Air Challenge. www.compressedairchallenge.org)
Did You Know?
A typical plant that has not been well maintained will have a leak rate equal to 10 - 30 percent of the total compressed air production capacity.
The easiest way to identify leaks in a compressed air system is to walk the
plant and listen for them. (Especially during non-production times.)
To estimate a plant's leak load, operate the air compressor in a load/no-load (or start/stop) mode during a non-production time. Record the loaded vs. unloaded times, and compare these to the compressor's capacity.
One of the most common leak points in plants is at “abandoned” equipment. (Equipment that has air supplied to it while not operating.) Consider adding an automated shut off valve in the supply air line, which closes when the machine is turned off.
John Henry Foster Company has an ultrasonic leak detector available for rent. Labor services can also be provided to perform leak detection, including tagging and documenting all leaks. Please contact Jeff Gau at 314-593-1209 to request a quote.
