|
On the previous page we talked about some of the factors that should be considered to select the optimal compressor location.
Here are additional factors to be considered.
Intake
As well as on the cooler, shadier side of the building if possible, ensure that your air intake is well up the wall. If it's at ground level, there's a possibility of sucking ground level dust and debris into the intake.
Your compressor air intake will (should) have an adequate dust and debris filter, but the cleaner the air you are ingesting, the less frequently you'll have to clean this filter.
Don't forget to have the cleaning of the intake filter on your regularly scheduled preventive maintenance schedule.
Visibility
Give some thought to adding lighting in the compressor room. It never fails that you’ll have to do something to the unit that's behind it, and close to being completely underneath, and it sure is much easier to perform maintenance on a compressor when there’s good lighting.
It’s a good idea from a safety standpoint, too. Every surface seems to collect things, and around the compressor doesn’t seem to be an exception. Good lighting means that you won’t be tripping over items, damaging them or yourself in the process.
Have you checked out the cost of worker's compensation lately?
Security
Who’s going into the compressor room? Who’s perhaps not planning anything catastrophic, but just might push the wrong button or turn the wrong valve?
Depending on the type of compressor, moving parts may make being in close proximity dangerous. The belts on compressors should be guarded, but you can make things even safer by keeping unauthorized and unskilled persons out of the compressor area completely.
Do the curiosity seeker and yourself a favour, and lock the door to the compressor room, and as noted earlier, have a documented system for controlling the key. If there's a problem that needs to be rectified, why waste time looking for the key? Those that need to know or need access should have the information as to where it is, or the actual key at hand.
Vibration
Depending on the style and size of the compressor, there will be varying levels of vibration associated with it’s operation. Installing the compressor on the recommended cement base could mean that vibration from the unit can affect other areas of the plant.
There are many options available to help isolate the compressor vibration from transmitting to other areas of the plant.
Wire rope isolators are one, or the simple elastomeric (neoprene or rubber cushions) mounts is another. The elastomers are likely the lowest cost, and provide a rubber cushion between the ‘feet’ on the legs of the compressor and the floor.
Be aware of the vibration issue when seeking a new compressor and be sure to ask the vendor about steps you'll have to take if the compressor you select can cause your plant a problem.
Floor
As already mentioned, a cement or concrete floor under your compressor is best.
Not only will this floor resist vibration, it will also resist decomposition from the water that is a continual by-product of compressing air, and the likely possibility that you will have oil on the floor from the compressor if it's an oil-lubed type of unit.
Painting the floor will make it easier to clean. Be aware of slip-and-fall hazards on a painted, wet or oily floor.
Drain
If you install an auto-drain in the drain valve of your receiver, or just opt for using the manual drain valve at least once a day and even more often if the compressor sees constant use, the water flooding from your receiver valve has to go somewhere.
Be conscious of the fact that the mixture blowing out of the drain of the receiver may be mostly water, but will have dirt in it, and if your compressor is oil-lubed, that waste water will contain oil as well.
It is likely that this water / dirt / oil slurry from your compressor will be considered as "hazardous waste" in your jurisdiction, and it must be treated as such.
Gone, we think, are the days when you simply ran the line from the receiver right into the nearest municipal drain.
You do want to be sure, both from the standpoint of avoiding hefty fines for dumping waste, and for contributing to cleaning up rather than sullying the environment.
Size
We’ve already talked about making the compressor room large enough to have “elbow room” around the unit, but when you’re planning the compressor room also give thought to the ancillary equipment you might also need or want.
You may opt for installing an extra receiver or two right in the compressor room.
If an additional receiver doesn’t provide sufficient cooling of the air to remove the water to a level satisfactory for your plant, you may need some compressed air cooling technology such as desiccant or a refrigerant dryer.
These items can “get you into” some serious additional real estate around the compressor, so keep your options open in terms of how big your compressor room should be.
To top
