What is condensation management, and why does it matter?
Compressed air is widely regarded as the fourth utility in industrial circles, providing an unrivalled and cost-effective source of energy. With such a reliance on compressed air, it’s important for plant operators to ensure that their system and all of its components are regularly maintained. One of the most important pieces of maintenance carried out on a compressed air system isn’t completed by a professional, however.

What is condensation management?

Condensation is a naturally occurring byproduct of the air compression (ปั๊มลม) process, with varying degrees of moisture produced at various stages of a compressed air system.

This presents a big problem for plant operators, as condensation can have all manner of ill effects on the condition and operation of a compressed air system. Alone and left untreated, water vapour can rust and corrode pipework and equipment, leading to expensive maintenance costs.
Most compressed air condensate doesn’t just consist of water, however. In oil-lubricated compressors, oil that has otherwise been filtered out can be present in the condensate. Dirt particles left after the filtration process also tend to be present.

This can lead to the contamination of the compressed air system’s end product, which can present major issues if you operate in the food or pharmaceutical industry. Legislation has been put in place to limit the acceptable levels of contamination across industries; put simply, if you aren’t managing your condensate, you could be breaking the law.

How to handle condensate

Managing condensate is quite simple, with a lot of major manufacturers developing systems specifically aimed at removing condensate from compressed air systems. These systems are designed to drain and manage condensate at key ‘collection points’ through the system and ensure that air passing through is clean and acceptable for use.

Most condensate management systems consist of two key components – drains and separators.
The job of a compressed air pipe is fairly self-explanatory. They are responsible for removing any excess water from the system, limiting any potential for damage and contamination.

A lot of drains are now designed with efficiency and the environment in mind. For example, the Bekomat drain only flows according to the level of the condensate of compressed air in the system thus reducing the amount of compressed air potentially lost in the drainage process. This means lower bills for you, and less energy used overall.

Separators are the second part of the condensate management process and deal with the disposal of condensate contaminated with oil. Oil/water separators treat the condensate and remove any oil or other contaminates that could potentially harm the environment. This means that the condensate can be disposed of safely and without any potential legal ramifications.
For more information on with  Air Compressors (ปั๊มลม) on  http://www.clinton-marketing.co.th/AIR-COMPRESSOR