SIZING COMPRESSED AIR LINES

by Ron
(Rochester NY, USA)

Hello (sorry didn't get your name) I am an MEP (Mechanical,Electrical,Plumbing for the building construction industry) engineer/designer here in Rochester NY. I concentrate mostly on the plumbing and fire protection aspect of the business.

That is during the day. When I go home I try to work on my website. It looks much like yours...you wouldn't be a fellow SBI'er would you. I am impressed with your user friendly layout and look. I have not had the time I would like to keep up with my site but take a look you might like it if you are interested in classic rock music.

www.classic-rock-legends-start-here.com

OK I did have a legitimate question.

I will be working on providing 6 to 8 compressed air drops to a University laboratory classroom from an existing compressor system. I am not that up on compressed air but I imagine that the drops to a blow-off gun or quick-disconnect would be 1/2"... but I need more info on how they will be using the air and compressor specs. Do you have any guidelines for determining the pipe size needed for X amount of CFM or do you have access to a chart that sizes copper pipe, for example for the amount of air needed at the termination point or for an x amount of CFM?

Thanks, looking forward to your response
Ron

____________________
Bill says...

SBIer indeed!

Review the plumbing pages on this site, and then look at for info on air flow through an orifice and info on pressure drop. From these you can "guestimate" flow.

And yes, you need to know the flow requirements to figure out line size... or, simply use a 1/4" drop to a blow off. At 90 PSI, that's often enough.

Cheers, and good luck with your websites.

Bill

P.S. Did have a look at your site. Neat stuff!