When designing a new facility, many neglect to realize that the compressor room’s temperature can be exceedingly difficult to monitor. Oftentimes, the compressed air distribution system ends of being built wherever there is space left. However, as much as 80 to 90% of the electrical energy used by an air compressor is converted to heat, and without proper ventilation, the room can easily become overheated and negatively affect overall operations. Here are just a few consideration to make when designing your compressor room’s ventilation.
Exhaust Fan
Installing an exhaust fan in your compressor room definitely helps to circulate the air and cool it down. Certain compressed air system ancillary equipment may demand substantial amounts of cool air, such as refrigerated dryers.
Inlet Air
To determine what size open your compressor room should have for inlet air, consult the equipment manual. For multiple pieces of equipment, one larger open is acceptable, but multiple smaller opens are recommended. It’s also important to make sure that the opening has dampers to adjust the level of opening based on the current temperature.
Cool Air Flow
One important consideration to keep in mind is the placement of each and every duct and piece of equipment. Many times, the poor design allows hot air being unintentionally recirculated to the cooling air duct, which can cause serious risk of equipment malfunction and failure. Make sure that your exhaust and inlet fans are far enough apart to prevent this from becoming an issue.
Ductwork Recirculation
Finally, remember that compressors produce a significant amount of heat that needs to be removed to maintain efficiency. Kaesertalksshop.com says, "It’s best to have thermostatically controlled louvers/dampers on the ductwork. In the winter, the warm air can be recovered and recirculated to the compressor room or an adjoining room to provide space heating. In the summer, the warm air can be ducted outdoors."
Ultimately, it’s important to keep these aspects in mind when considering compressed air system designs. While these are just a few of the larger design aspects, there are also a number of minute details that must be taken into consideration to maximize efficiency and lifespan of equipment. An HVAC professional can assist with assuring that your compressor room stays as cool and ventilated as possible, making the operation of the equipment more efficient than ever before. For more information about air fitting and compressed air distribution, contact Rapid Air.