Hydraulics & Pneumatics November/December 2022

updates from 40 HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS November/December 2022 www.hpmag.co.uk Contact BCAS at Tel: 020 7935 2464 e-mail: info@bcas.org.uk website: www.bcas.org.uk The British Compressed Air Society (BCAS) launched its 10% Taskforce campaign earlier this year. BCAS executive director, Vanda Jones, discusses how the Society is helping to educate end users on simple ways to lower their energy consumption from compressed air. She also outlines the importance of maintaining air compressors and how a proactive service regime can help improve energy performance. Energy saving is a priority for every operator in the current climate. Long running hours and harsh operating conditions can all contribute to higher costs and greater wear and tear. Creating a planned, proactive or predictive maintenance plan can help operators to improve the energy efficiency of compressed air systems. Here are some steps which can be taken for an improved compressor maintenance: Step 1 – Location is key Compressors should be positioned in a dry, clean and cool location, which is well-ventilated. It could also be worth considering extra ventilation as this will ensure the compressor room is close to ambient temperature as possible. More energy is required to compress warm air, but some compressor plant rooms will run at temperatures as high as 30degC. When temperatures hit this level, it can result in more frequent compressor downtime, alongside higher energy consumption, leading to a less efficient system. Air compressor maintenance– increase energy savings Step 2 – System maintenance Regular system maintenance helps to ensure performance is maximised. Air compressed systems need to be inspected regularly for air leaks in the pipework, as the smallest leak can lead to significant energy loss. Additionally, inlet filters need to be checked and replaced routinely to avoid pressure drops alongside any ancillary equipment, such as dryers, filters, pipework and air receivers. Step 3 – Maintenance programme Finally, it’s important to regularly maintain your system to ensure it runs at optimum efficiency. When it comes to maintenance, operators should aim to be ‘proactive’ rather than ‘reactive’, so problems can be identified before they become major concerns. A routine maintenance programme will save time, energy and money in the long run – and BCAS members offer a range of maintained services to allow compressed air systems to run at peak performance. Further information Businesses looking for further information and advice on system maintenance or ways to reduce compressed air energy consumption can contact their local BCAS member or visit taskforce10.bcas.org.uk BCAS’ Top Tips Always use genuine spare parts for your system. These will be designed based on your specific air compressor, so will offer the best performance over other alternatives. Choosing genuine spare parts will also help to save time and cost, as other less high-quality parts could lead to equipment failure and increased energy consumption. It’s important to also not forget about ‘leak detection’. As expanded on in ‘step 2’, a tiny leak in your system can cause a huge amount of energy to be wasted. Ensure you are adding this to your weekly maintenance regime for improved functionality. A full and effective maintenance regime should help your system to function much more efficiently, and you will be likely to avoid unplanned outages and downtime. By putting a maintenance plan in place, you can avoid unnecessary energy loss through poorly performing equipment, helping combat rising energy costs. And, you can be reassured your air compressor is performing to the best of its ability, freeing up more time to prioritise other energy saving measures.