3 Factors That Affect Air Compressor Pipe Selection
Posted on: 28 June 2022
Compressed air is often used to power pneumatic tools that are used in the manufacturing process. In order to ensure that the right amount of compressed air is delivered to each tool connected to the main compressor, a series of pipes must be installed.
Here are three factors that you will need to consider when selecting new air compressor pipes so that you can be sure you get the right size pipes to meet your needs.
1. The Distance the Air Travels
The first factor to consider when determining what size pipes to connect to your air compressor is the distance that the air must travel in order to reach each tool.
Some of your tools are probably located in close proximity to the compressor itself. The pipes that connect these tools should be smaller in size than the pipes used to move air from a compressor to tools located across the factory floor.
Smaller pipes tend to contribute to pressure loss over a great distance, so be sure that you are taking the distance your compressed air must travel from compressor to tool into account as you size your pipes.
2. The Volume of Air Being Moved
The volume of compressed air moving through your pipes at any given time should play a role in determining pipe size.
Air volume is measured in cubic feet per meter (CFM). The larger the CFM rating of your air, the larger your pipes will need to be to help you avoid unnecessary pressure drops.
If you have pneumatic tools that require compressed air that is highly pressurized, you will need to carefully calculate the CFM to ensure you are installing pipes that are the right size.
3. The Material Used to Make the Pipes
Air compressor pipes can be made from a wide range of materials. Each of these materials will impact the way that air moves through a pipe in different ways. Pipe material can be directly related to the amount of pressure drop you see in your delivered air.
Pipes that are made from smooth materials (like aluminum) produce less friction as air moves through them. This means that a smaller pipe can be used without increasing the pressure drop.
Pipes made from rough materials (like rubber hosing) can restrict airflow and increase the amount of friction created as air moves from the compressor to a specific tool. A larger pipe is needed when the material is rough to compensate for the pressure drop caused by excess friction.
Contact a compressor parts dealer near you to learn more.
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