The transition from summer to winter has officially begun, with the temperature plummeting. Beyond the usual grumbles about more frigid mornings and having to de-ice the car, cold weather represents something of a threat to compressed air users.
As the temperatures drop, the potential complications in a compressed air (ปั๊มลม) system rise; whether it's piping freezing, a compressor refusing to start entirely or oil issues, cold weather can lead to massive drops in productivity in a plant.
Fortunately, modern compressed air systems have many design features that alleviate a lot of the threats posed by cold weather. However, it is worth conducting a health check to determine if your system is protected against the coming winter. Here’s what you need to consider.
Check your pipes
Freezing pipes are one of the biggest issues that can potentially arise as a result of the cold weather, with undried and unfiltered condensate pooling and eventually freeze. This can lead to cracks in the pipes and some costly repairs.In the past, freezing pipes were taken as part and parcel of running a compressed air system and were treated by injecting alcohol into the airlines! Today, however, compressed air technology has become advanced enough that compressed air dryers can remove most of the moisture from the air and remove it from the system in a safe manner. It’s well worth checking that your dryer is operational, working to a high standard and is appropriate for your system before winter hits.
The separation of condensate can lead to its problems, however. Pooled condensate can freeze in dedicated condensate trays, which means that it cannot be drained and that any more condensate produced cannot enter the plate and thus remains in the system. If the room in which you operate your system has a high ambient temperature this shouldn’t be a problem, but make sure to drain any condensate regularly.
If you do experience frost or ice in your pipes, do NOT attempt to use compressed air to blow it out. This can lead to your compressor overworking and even burning out.
Check your dryers
As previously alluded to, your dryer is the most important component in your compressed air system when it comes to warding off the ill effects of cold weather. Calling a professional to carry out a compressed air audit is a good idea around this time of year, especially if you have concerns about the operation of your dryer.There is a multitude of different factors that can affect the functioning of the dryer but one of the most common is a low ambient temperature. If the room in which your compressed air system is housed falls below 5C, you may experience some issues with your dryer.
Maintain a high ambient temperature
Further to the last point, maintaining a reasonable ambient temperature in your compressed air room is essential. This should already have been factored into the design of your compressed air room, but it’s worth checking for any issues that may have compromised the temperature. You’ll also need to keep any heating or ventilation systems running over nights and weekends to ensure that your system can continue running when production resumes.Change old oil and check oil temperature
In oil-based air compressors, the temperature of the oil used to lubricate the compressor can cause issues. Cold oil can lead to issues when attempting to start your compressors, although a proper ambient temperature will usually remedy this problem.Old oil can also represent a problem as it tends to contain more water content than newer oil. This water can freeze and lead to severe operational issues. The solution to this is simple; change your compressor’s oil on a regular basis.
For more information on compressed air on http://www.clinton-marketing.co.th/AIR-COMPRESSOR
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