Air delivery system.

by J.D.
(Napa Valley, CA)

As ABS is approved for air delivery systems I am thinking of building a system per the attached drawing.
The alternative is 3/4" copper. I am aware that copper will dissipate heat better than plastic, but the increased surface area of the 4" ABS should more than compensate. It would have the additional plus of more air storage capacity. The price for each system is about the same. Any comments would be appreciated.





Bill answers...

Hi J.D.

Nice to hear from Napa Valley, which is where I would like to be right now, considering it's snowing as I look out my office window.

First off, I would NEVER use a hard plastic like ABS for compressed air. If it lets go, it shatters, generating lots of shrapnel.

Where did you hear that ABS is approved for compressed air? That's news to me. Don't do it!

Nice schematic. Sorry though. I can't read all the words... and no, it's not just my eyes. I enlarged the photo and still can't make out what they all say, so I'm not quite sure what the purpose of your air delivery system is, unless you have drop lines from various points along the runs.

Or, it looks to me like you are using the run to cool the air before it gets to the application?

Regardless, you are right, a 4" line would in itself be a substantial air reservoir for the downstream appliances. Just don't use plastic, unless the manufacturer is prepared to send you confirmation of application in writing. I've talked to some plastic pipe people, and with only one exception, they do not recommend using their products for compressed air.

Go with the copper.

Cheers,

Bill




Comments for
Air delivery system.

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Apr 25, 2009
 Only if you encapsulate it
by: Anonymous

I am not an expert, but I think that you could use Hardware Store PVC in this case, BUT ONLY IF you built a plywood box around it with vent holes at the top and bottom. As a general rule, PVC can take the pressure for years, but when it fails, it throws sharp bits at high speed all over the room. By placing a half inch sheet of plywood around the entire PVC register, it would capture any thrown plastic, rendering it harmless. Copper is normally the better choice, but the cost might be too high in this case.
Apr 05, 2009
 Thanks Bill.
by: J.D.

The info is at http;//torque1st.clubfte.com/OSHA PVC Pipe.htm. Should have read it more carefully, it says "approved ABS such as Duraplus". I doubt if that is what my local Home Depot carries. Again thanks for your comments.






Anytime...thanks for visiting.

Bill

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