PROTECT YOUR AIR SYSTEM!

FIGHT SUMMER MOISTURE

High Temp Symbol

Summer conditions strain every part of a compressed air system, requiring air compressors, dryers, auto-drains, filters, and oil/water separators to work harder and under more stress. One major factor is increased moisture and humidity, which can wreak havoc on unprepared systems.

Damage to Actuator

Damage equipment including valves, air tools and air motors, actuators, and other pneumatic components both by creating corrosion and washing away lubrication

Damage to Actuator

Cause plant downtime or damage to product in applications dependent on air- or gas-powered instruments or pneumatic controls, which can be impeded by rust, scale, and clogged orifices

Damage to Actuator

Contaminate or degrade solvents, lubricants, food products, paints and finishes, and many other products sensitive to moisture or water.

IF YOU START SEEING DOWNSTREAM EQUIPMENT FAILURES,
CHECK YOUR AIR COMPRESSOR AND DRYER!

These failures could be caused by excessive moisture in your compressed air and indicate an issue with your dryer and/or air compressor

What can you do?

ONE STEP SOLUTION: CALL A-L-L EQUIPMENT

Our experts can do the heavy lifting needed to summer-proof your air system, giving maximum performance and reliability. Our Service Techs work on compressors from every manufacturer, and will thoroughly inspect your unit and perform all maintenance needed.

Ever wonder if your air system is sized and configured correctly, or just want a second opinion? Our Air System Experts have saved customers tens of thousands annually with just minor system changes – sometimes without purchasing any new equipment!

We can’t promise that we’ll find easy savings like that for every customer, but we can promise that our experts will take the time to learn your needs, provide honest information, and (if needed) recommend the best possible solutions!

16 MAINTENANCE TIPS TO FIGHT SUMMER MOISTURE:

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Dryers

Air Dryer Illustration

This one is easy: the single most important thing for dry air is a dryer!

1.) Ensure all dryers are operational, maintained, and ready for increased workloads
2.) Clean condenser fins – Check that condenser fins are clean, unobstructed, and unbent on refrigerated dryers. This is critical!
3.) Replace desiccant/refrigerant – If necessary, replace old desiccant or recharge the refrigerant
4.) Check Ventilation – Ensure the unit is properly ventilated and has good air flow
5.) Review Sizing – Having a dryer that is properly sized for your system is essential. Our experts can answer any questions you may have or just give a second opinion – we’re here to help!

Air Compressors

Air Compressor Illustration

There are a few important things to make sure your air compressor is ready for summer:

6.) Change compressor oil/coolant – Summer conditions can cut the life of oils in half! In addition to lubricating moving parts and providing a seal for compression, it also is essential for heat transfer and keeping a compressor cool. Excess moisture can also contaminate the oil, damaging bearings and other internal parts.
7.) Clean the heat-exchanger – For air-cooled units, make sure the heat-exchanger fins are clean, unobstructed, and unbent. This is one of the most important things you can do!
8.) Check ventilation – Ensure your compressor is well-ventilated and has adequate air flow
9.) Clean electrical enclosures – Check electrical enclosures and remove any build-up of dirt or debris, which can cause components to overheat and shorten their lifespan. Always use appropriate precautions when working around and/or with electrical components!

Filters

Coalescing Filter Illustration

Moisture increases the pressure drop across coalescing filters, decreasing efficiency and increasing operating costs.

10.) Replace element(s) – Replace filter elements to minimize performance losses

Drains

Pneumatic No-Loss Drain Illustration

Drains need to be ready for increased workloads and condensate, requiring them to cycle more often.

11.) Test drains – Make sure all drains are working properly (use the test button if your drain has one)
12.) Check cycle time – You may need to shorten the cycle time on electronic drains to run more often
13.) Use high efficiency drains – If you haven’t already, consider upgrading to pneumatic no-loss drains (PNLDs) for significant net savings, especially in medium and large air systems!

Oil / Water Separators

Oil Water Separator Illustration

Oil / Water Separators will also have increased workloads, & are needed to properly remove and dispose of lubricants and contaminants in condensate.

14.) Check functionality – ensure separators are operational and have adequate capacity
15.) Check element – Check how old the separator element is and replace if necessary
16.) Drain regularly – Ensure the reservoir is regularly drained

Have any questions? We’re here to help!

Final thoughts:

There are a lot of factors that reduce air system performance in the summer – the physical properties of air change (increased moisture content, reduced air density, higher inlet temperatures), ambient conditions change (hotter ambient temperatures), and contaminant levels increase (from increased condensate). These all have different effects, and the maintenance tips above will provide basic protection against these conditions.

However, the most important factor is system design, which is the foundation of a reliable and efficient compressed air system. Every air system has unique needs (the specific application or industry, customer requirements, budget range, building layout, etc.), but some common variables include:

  • Is your compressor, dryer, and other air equipment optimally sized and configured?
  • Do you have a wet receiver/wet tank before your dryer?
  • Does your compressor room have good ventilation and a supply of cool, clean air?
  • Is your air piping sloped so condensate drains to a drop leg / moisture trap? Do piping outlets connect from the top of the pipeline’s main header? Is your piping material Black Iron or (non-stainless) steel, which corrodes when exposed to condensate?
  • Do you have in-line filters and/or separators protecting air-powered equipment?

Sometimes small changes can yield big improvements and savings. Does your system have low-hanging fruit that is a bottleneck to performance or efficiency? Our air experts love doing free walk-through assessments to look for potential improvements like this – they’ve figured out that providing annual savings with lots of zeros and commas makes customers happy!

Sometimes these changes are as simple as adding a few valves, changing a section of piping, or even just turning off equipment that’s running unnecessarily! It’s not always that easy, but our experts will always take the time to learn your needs, provide honest information, and (if applicable) provide options and recommend the best possible solution – just give us a call or send us a message!

PLEASE CALL FOR EMERGENCY SERVICE OR URGENT HELP!

MOLINE, IL
(309) 762-8096

ROCKFORD, IL
(815) 877-7000

DUBUQUE, IA
(563) 235-7081

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