How do i select the size of the air compressor for a dry pipe system?

[doingwhat]

System demand for the dry pipe is 160.6 gpm
length of dry pipe 4" main is about 121 ft
length of the 2-1/2" branch line is about 106 ft

So how do i select the size of the air compressor?

 

[cdafd]

Big enough to refill in thirty minutes


Ask the supplier?

Check page 12::

https://www.generalairproducts.com/...otection-air-compressors-brochure.pdf?r=false

 

[doingwhat]

is that means i can select the model with 250 gpm system capacity? 160.6 gpm < 250 gpm

 

[TravisMack]

System demand has nothing to do with system capacity. I could have a system demand of 500 gpm to deliver the water required. That could be a 10k sq ft system or a 50k sq ft system. You need to know the volume of all of the pipes in your system. You then choose your air compressor based on that.

Travis Mack, SET, CWBSP, RME-G, CFPS
MFP Design, LLC

http://www.mfpdesign.com

"Follow" us at

https://www.facebook.com/pages/MFP-Design-LLC/92218417692

 

[UFT12]

To add to what Travis said, the four important parameters here are, system volume(dry portion), static pressure of the supply side, refill time and pressure differential on the valve clapper. With these you can select quite accurately the size of the compressor. Search literature of the dry valve manufacturers. There you will find the pressure differential (which is strongly related to each specific valve) and the methodology to calculate. Best of course would be to confirm with the manufacturer of the compressor.

 

[chicopee]

Nice response UFT12.