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AIR COMPRESSORS
Measuring compressed air: Reciprocating Air Compressors:
Compressed air equipment is measured in pressure For proper installation, vibration pads should be utilized
pounds per square inch gauge (psig), and flow-cubic feet between the baseplate (or tank feet supports) and a level
per minute (cfm). Depending on the type of product and the floor.
manufacturer, the cfm rating may be displacement, actual, A high temperature rated steel braided, vibration isolation
free, standard, or inlet.The differences are: flex hose should be installed between the compressor
discharge [or vacuum inlet] and any permanent plant
Displacement cfm: (DCFM) Displacement Cubic Feet per
piping.
Minute. Generally quoted in reference to reciprocating air
Dual control means both automatic start & stop and
compressors.This is the volume of air displaced by the
constant speed control.
piston. It is not the amount of air actually produced. It is a
measurement of the air prior to considering inefficiencies Rotary screw air compressors:
and internal losses. Rotary screw compressors can, and like to be run 100%
loaded.
Actual cfm: (ACFM) Actual Cubic Feet per Minute.This is
Always install an air receiver tank with a rotary screw air
the actual amount of air produced by an air compressor.
compressor. [Minimum of 1 gallon capacity per each cfm
However, this can be measured at various points of the air
that the compressor is rated for.]
compressor package, including prior to considering internal
Generally speaking, 125 psig rated oil flooded rotary
losses that occur before the air exits the package.
screw air compressors produce approximately 4 cfm per
Free cfm: (FAD) Free Air Delivered.This is the actual horsepower.
amount of air produced by an air compressor, and
Filters: I
measured at the discharge of the package. It is measured N
Typical, standard compressed air filters have a 310 psi
after all internal losses are considered.
drop from inlet to outlet, depending on cleanliness. G
E
Standard cfm: (SCFM) Standard Cubic Feet per Minute. Specify a pressure differential indicator on filters to alert R
This is the amount of air measured at a stated standard set of excessive pressure drop and needed element change. S
of conditions.The generally accepted standard conditions O
Dryers: L
are 14.696 psia, 60F, and 0% relative humidity. Refrigerated air dryers: L
Will dry to approximately a 3339F pressure dewpoint -
Inlet cfm: (ICFM) Inlet Cubic Feet per Minute.This is the R
amount of air measured at the inlet to the air compressor when properly sized. A
package. It is a measurement of the air prior to considering Will remove approximately 96% of the moisture from N
inefficiencies and internal losses. the compressed air system. D
Typically have a 35 psi drop from inlet to outlet.
How can you measure a compressors output? Desiccant air dryers:
Can be sized to dry to a 40F or a 100F pressure
Pump up time [in minutes]:
dewpoint.
Receiver tank volume [gal.] x [final tank pressureinitial tank pressure]
Will remove approximately 99.6% of the moisture from
7.48 x atmospheric pressure [psia] x compressor delivery [cfm]
the compressed air system.
Require a coalescing (oil-removal) prefilter to be
installed in front of them.
Always install a receiver in front of a desiccant dryer, so
that the purge flow does not send a false signal to the air
compressor to load up.This would cause the air
compressor to short cycle.
(314) 427-0600 www.jhf.com (FAX) 314-427-3502

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