Did you know that in older compressed air systems, up to 20% of the total compressed air consumption may be lost through leaks?
Yearly cost of air leaks
However, air leaks are not only a direct source of wasted energy, they also cause the system to lose pressure, which will in turn reduce the performance and life cycle of the pneumatic equipment connected to it. The inconsistent air flow can increase production time and negatively affect the quality of the product.
Your compressed air network can start to leak due to a variety of reasons:
Poor installation: Mistakes made during installation or maintenance, such as poorly jointed pipework, mismatched piping or improperly applied thread sealant can all lead to problems in the future.
Materials: Skimping on materials or not using the right material for your system will make it susceptible for deterioration.
Couplings and connections: Your compressor system naturally vibrates and moves. This vibration can cause couplings and connections to loosen over time, allowing air to escape.
General wear and tear: Worn internal air seals can cause the point-of-use accessories to lose their efficiency and start to leak.
Corrosion: Moisture inside the compressed air system will cause pipes to start rusting from the inside out, as the protective coating of the pipes gets worn out over time.
Sometimes repairing leaks can be as simple as tightening a poor connection, sealing cracks or replacing worn-out parts.
But why wait until a leak occurs? Taking a proactive approach to preventing leaks is always preferable to costly shutdowns and repairs. Having the right air piping system from the start and setting up a leak prevention maintenance program makes all the difference in preventing problems in the future.
With right selection of piping material, you can enjoy years of peace of mind when it comes to your air supply. A reliable piping system guarantees:
You have reached maximum compressed air efficiency when your air supply is: