Compressed Air Best Practices - March 2008 - (Page 40)

| 03/08 Focus Industry FOOD PROCESSING | MEASURING PRESSURE DEWPOINT IN A COMPRESSED AIR SYSTEM What dewpoint do you require? Do you monitor it? If so, congratulations, and if not, why? The drier the air, the more expensive it is. Do you really need a -40 ˚F or lower PDP compressed air? Many of the industrial plants that we encounter state that they require a -40 ˚F PDP. Our question is, “Do you monitor your dewpoint?” The majority of the responses are, no we do not! If -40 ˚F class pressure dewpoint is really important to your process, shouldn’t you measure it and be sure you have it? If you don’t monitor it then you are probably not getting or maintaining a -40 ˚F or lower PDP. The reason many plants give for not ever measuring pressure dewpoint has been the “real or perceived” problems with dewpoint monitors — specifically the probes. Many of the past problems have been because of lack of knowledge of the probes capability and the resultant poor application, installation or maintenance. Modern probes are greatly improved over past units, offering solid performance with much easier maintenance and less sensitivity to installation conditions. Industry has long used pressure dewpoint monitors to identify the appropriate dewpoint in a compressed air line serving critical uses where liquid water or high relative humidity (water vapor) will have a negative effect on either product quality and/or productivity. Recent development in sensing probe technology have greatly enhanced the reliability and simplified the installation and maintenance requirements to achieve satisfactory performance. This article is to review the current probes on today’s market with respect to industrial compressed air systems. Most production facilities require dewpoint measurement of either refrigerated dryers (+40 ˚F class) or desiccant dryer (-40 ˚F class or lower). Some will require both. Key measurement points may be: p p p Discharge air from each dryer Air from power house (supply) to general production system Air to critical user point There are many types of sensors available today. The four most common are: 1. 2. 3. 4. Chilled Mirror Aluminum Oxide (also includes Ceramic Oxide, Gold Aluminum Oxide) Thin Film Polymer Polystyrene Core 40 www.airbestpractices.com http://www.airbestpractices.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Compressed Air Best Practices - March 2008

Compressed Air Best Practices - March 2008 Contents From the Editor Utility-Air News The Compressed Air Audit of the Month: Saving Energy with Blowers in Canada Do You Provide World-Class Service? Managing Rotary Screw Air Compressors at Midwest Bakery The Difference Between Acfm and Scfm for Proper Vacuum Sizing Best Practices — Multi-Module Process Air Dryers The Vacuum Formation Process in Building Compressed Air Filter Elements Solberg Manufacturing Real World Best Practices: Measuring Pressure Dewpoint in a Compressed Air System Resources for Energy Engineers: Training Calendar & Product Picks Wall Street Watch Advertiser Index Job Market

Compressed Air Best Practices - March 2008

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