Importance of air balance w/ compressors filters dryers 1

[KANN]

For a 100 psig plant compressed air system with five (10,000 scfm) compressors, three dryer/filters, how important or accurate must the air flow balance be to the dryer/filters for equipment performance and service life?

Would reverse return piping be very beneficial?

 

[Montemayor]

KANN:

You haven't revealed:
1) What type of compressors you have;
2) How they are connected to the dryer system;
3) If the 10,000 Scfm capacity rating is per compressor or per all 5 compressors;
4) What type of dryers you have (refrigeration or adsorption);
5) The capacity of each dryer unit;
6) How the dryers are connected to the 5 air compressors; are they connected in parallel? In series? If in parallel, how is the combined (or individual) stream(s) split up accurately to access the target dryer?
7) What is "reverse return piping"?
8) How are the compressors capacity-controlled?
9) Are all 5 compressors 100% on-line, 100% of the time?

There will probably be more questions developed as you answer some of the above and explain your installation. Otherwise, no one can tell what you have and how to best balance the air flow to the dryer.

Look forward to your responses.

 

[KANN]

Montemayer:

I want to thank you for your reply and for taking the time to respond.

I posted the question because a colleague asked me the question. I thought it was an important one, but could not address it. I suggested he post his question in a forum, but he didn't think it would be beneficial to do so.

I took it upon myself to make the post above in the hopes of demonstrating to my colleague what can be gained by doing so.

When I showed my colleague your reply, and obvious interest, he said he didn't think it would be worth his time supplying the answers to the questions, and furthermore, he thought question 6 was asking him to provide the answer he needed input on. So, he refused to provide additional information.

I am dissappointed in his response, but realize he is working from his own experience to gain the insights he needs in ways he thinks is most effective.

In general, I have found participating in posts and replies to be beneficial and often very stimulating in the pursuit of knowledge.

Please accept my appoligies for your time lost.

- Ken

 

[Montemayor]

Ken:

No problem. I appreciate your reply because I think you understand that we gave the post importance due to the magnitude of compressed air involved and the importance such a stream probably plays in your friends process.

I wish your friend well and hope he resolves his situation in the most efficient manner.