Compressors are generally classified according to engine power. On the market, the words 100 kW compressor or 75 kW compressor are often heard. However, it is necessary to look at what compressors that consume so much energy provide in return. Since one of the main tasks of compressors is to produce compressed air, the first thing to look at is how much air the compressor has produced. This is the flow rate of the compressor. Two compressors with the same engine power may produce different air at the same pressure. Therefore, a standard has been developed to determine the air flow rate for compressors. FAD (Free Air Delivery) measurement method is widely used. This method shows the actual performance of the compressor regardless of the ambient temperature, pressure and humidity factors. FAD measurement is also defined in ISO 1217 and DIN 1945 standards. In the FAD method, the pressure of the air absorbed by the compressor is measured, ie the pressure of the ambient air and the inlet temperature, ie the temperature of the environment. Then the outlet pressure and the outlet temperature of the air as well as the outlet flow are measured at the compressor outlet. The relative humidity and vapor pressure in the ambient air are also taken into account when making the calculations. All these measured values are placed in a formula and the FAD is calculated.
General Recommendations for Compressors
- The compressors must have water drainage and periodically drain the water by the maintenance department. In addition, the perimeter of the tank should be in a sheltered compartment to prevent explosions or at a certain distance from the employees. This sheltered section can be reinforced concrete or steel structure.
- The compressor room should be constructed where it will not be affected by dust, suitable for clean-cold air intake and where the temperature changes are minimum. The appropriate ambient temperature for the compressor must be between 2 'C degrees and 46' C degrees. Each 3 'C temperature drop in the intake air will increase the amount of compressed air by 1%.
- In case the environment is dirty, it is useful to install panel filters in order to ensure fresh air intake to the compressor room air inlet.
- The compressor room should be well ventilated and hoods of appropriate dimensions and specifications should be placed in the air intake and outlet.
- The floor surface of the compressor room must be smooth, firm and easy to clean.
- Compressors should be placed in such a way that they can be easily moved around for repair and maintenance works.
- The compressor should be able to be removed from the room if necessary. For this purpose, the room is suitable for the operation of a forklift
One of the most accurate ways to measure the flow rate of compressors is FAD measurement. However, some low quality compressor manufacturers, product descriptions, not the FAD value, the compressor's volume is specified. This value is higher than the FAD value and is misleading. Because theoretically, there is no compressor that can press this amount of air in practice. Energy consumption is very high in compressed air systems. Efficiency is therefore of paramount importance in all compressed air systems, including compressors. Even under optimal conditions, a large part of the energy used by the compressors is wasted. Energy savings should be achieved not by reducing the amount of energy used, but by reducing the energy consumed without compromising quality and requirements. Our company performs compressor technical measurements in accordance with the relevant legal regulations, standards and test methods published by domestic and foreign organizations within the framework of electrical safety inspections.
