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AIR RECIEVER

One of the most important parts of a compressed air system is an air receiver, sometimes known as a vessel or tank. Before compressed air enters the pipe system and equipment, its main purpose is to store it. To put it another way, air receivers serve as a buffer mechanism between the compressor and the pressure fluctuations brought on by variations in demand.

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Important attributes:

  1. Compressed air is produced by compressors and is stored in air receivers.

  2. They act as a cushion to keep the system's pressure stable and guarantee that machinery and equipment receive a steady supply of compressed air.

  3. Usually, the air receiver's size is six to ten times larger than the compressor system's flow rate.

  4. For compressors rated at 25 scfm at 100 pressure, air receivers are typically sized at least 150 cubic feet.

 

Air receiver types:

  1. The most popular kind of air receivers are vertical ones, which are mounted on the wall or the floor.

  2. Horizontal air receivers: These are intended for pit or floor installation.

  3. Compressor tanks: Often built within the compressor unit, these are made expressly for use with compressors.

 

Advantages:

  1. maintains system pressure, guaranteeing a steady flow of air to machinery and equipment.

  2. lessens the vibration and pulsation brought on by the compressor.

  3. serves as a moisture trap, clearing the compressed air stream of impurities and condensate.

  4. enables compressors to run more efficiently, using less energy and prolonging the life of equipment.

compressed air receiver tank

WHAT MAKES AN AIR RECIEVER NECESSARY??

Theoretically, your air compressor installation can function without a receiver, but the compressor will have to work harder as a result of increased loading and unloading cycles. It's critical to keep in mind that load/unload cycles are contingent upon fluctuations in facility demand. Prior to compressed air entering the pipe system and/or equipment, it is stored in air receivers, also known as tanks or vessels. To put it another way, air receivers serve as a buffer mechanism between the compressor and the pressure fluctuations brought on by shifting demand. Some air compressors can be "tank-mounted," which means they are delivered as a package and installed on top of the air receiver. This type of setup is extremely popular in settings where space is limited. A tank-mounted compressor can save both space and the initial installation expenses associated with commissioning a standalone dryer. This is most prevalent with smaller-range compressors, often up to 26kW or 35 HP. Larger air compressors are not ideal for tank-mounted options because they become top heavy and may represent a safety problem.

HOW DO I APPROPRIATELY SIZE AIR RECEIVERS?

We explored recommended practices for "how to size an air compressor" in earlier articles because correct sizing is critical to meeting the demand at your operation. When sizing an air receiver, a fair rule of thumb is to allow 3-4 gallons for each CFM or 10-15 liters for each liter/second of compressed air, depending on the type of air compressor utilized and the application. Similar to sizing an air compressor, there are several elements to consider when determining the appropriate size of air receiver for your installation. It is highly recommended that you consider the following factors:

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1. Minimizing pressure fluctuations/drops: An air receiver can be utilized to reduce pressure variations that could affect the manufacturing process and the quality of your finished product. When choosing the correct air tank for your compressor, you must consider two factors: your compressor's output pressure and your application's requirements at the point of use. It is important to note that the compressed air stored in your air receiver is only helpful if the pressure is sufficient for the procedure that requires it. This is why it is critical to examine how long (in minutes) the air receiver can provide air at the required pressure for your end-user / equipment.

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2. Meeting short-term peak air demands: If the demand for compressed air fluctuates dramatically throughout the day, it is critical to account for these surges to ensure that system pressure does not fall below an acceptable level. An air receiver stores short-term peak air demands that the compressor cannot meet. Your air requirement may vary depending on the time of day, shift pattern, or even unexpected demand (for example, the occasional usage of a sandblaster or an abrasive media blaster). It is crucial to completely grasp the application and the quantity of CFM or liters/second of air required, as well as the expected peaks of your system, because it determines what flow of compressed air is needed to avoid shortages for any part of your process.

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3. Energy considerations: Using an air receiver can help lower your compressed air system's energy usage by allowing load/unload (fixed speed) compressors to run longer cycles and with tighter pressure bands. Having a suitably sized tank and extra air than is required reduces the possibility of the trim compressor starting up to meet increased flow demand, which can result in significant savings on energy use. This will help reduce pressure fluctuations and frequent motor starts, while maintaining consistent pressure and increasing the compressor's life.

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4. Safety considerations: If needed, an air receiver will provide a supply of air to enable production processes and systems to be safely shutdown in an emergency situation.

WHAT PRESSURE SHOULD MY AIR RECEIVER HAVE, AND IS IT IMPORTANT?

A higher pressure in your air receiver means more air for your process and tools, so you will not need to purchase a larger compressor even if your need increases over time. This statement is incorrect, and the pressure in your tank should be proportional to the output pressure of your compressor. Most common fixed-speed and variable-speed drive compressors can supply compressed air at up to 175 psig (12 bar), while the majority of industrial facilities use 100-125 psig (7-8 bar). The maximum pressure of the air receiver should be adjusted to meet the requirements of your facility.

 

For example, if your fixed speed compressor is rated to provide up to 125 psig (8 bar), the air receiver should be rated at least 150 psig (10 bar). Most variable speed drive (VSD) air compressors are rated up to 175 psig (12bar), so a 200 (14 bar) psig air receiver would be more suited to this type of compressed air system. Each air receiver should include a pressure relief valve, which is designed to relieve pressure from the tank if it reaches the maximum permitted pressure inside the vessel. It is vital to understand that more pressure does not equal more flow (CFM or l/s), but rather the contrary; as pressure rises, flow drops.


It is critical to understand the minimum and maximum pressure settings for equipment that use compressed air, and if possible, use pressure regulators outside of the air receiver or at the point of usage. A good rule of thumb to remember is that each 2 psig is equal to 1% of the energy consumed (1 bar is equal to 7% of the energy), thus we should manage our system pressure proportional to the needs of the facility, resulting in additional energy savings.

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