Across the United States, we are gearing up for our traditional observance of Memorial Day, on Monday. A good many of us will be fortunate to enjoy an extra day off…EXAIR employees included; we’re closed… More
Advantages of Thermal Mass or Thermal Dispersion Flow Measurement
EXAIR’s Digital Flow Meter offers an easy way to measure, monitor and record compressed air consumption. The Digital display shows the current amount of compressed air flow, allowing for tracking to identify costly leaks and/or inefficient air users.
How exactly does the Digital Flow Meter work? The unit falls under the category of Thermal Mass or Thermal Dispersion type flow meters. Below shows the backside of a unit.
Thermal mass flow meters have the advantage of using a simple method of measuring flow without causing a significant pressure drop. The EXAIR units have (2) probes that are inserted through the pipe wall and into the air flow. Each of the probes has a resistance temperature detector (RTD.) One of the probes measures the temperature of the air flow. The other probe is heated to maintain a preset temperature difference from the temperature measured by the first probe. The faster the air flow, the more heat that is required to keep the second probe at the prescribed temperature. From Heat Transfer principles, the heat energy input required to maintain the preset temperature is based on the mass velocity of the air. Using basic physical properties for compressed air, the volumetric rate can be determined (SCFM), and displayed.
It is important to note that the compressed air should be filtered to remove oils, and dried to remove water, as these liquids have different physical properties from air, and will cause erroneous readings.
Advantages
- Easy to install – No cutting or welding required
- Summing Remote Display and Data Logger available
- Sensitive at low flows
- Rugged, reliable and no moving parts
- No calibration or set-up required
- Models from 1/2″ to 4″ schedule 40 iron pipe in stock
- Short lead time for sizes up to 6″ Schedule 40 iron pipe
- Available for size 3/4″ to 4″ copper pipe
- New Wireless Capability
If you have any questions about the Digital Flow Meter or any of the EXAIR Intelligent Compressed Air® Products, feel free to contact EXAIR and myself or one of our Application Engineers can help you determine the best solution.
Brian Bergmann
Application Engineer
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Twitter: @EXAIR_BB
Flat Super Air Nozzle: Build Your Own System Overview
EXAIR manufactures a variety of nozzles that are OSHA safe, high quality, and very efficient. In this blog, I would like to discuss the features and benefits of the EXAIR Flat Super Air Nozzles and how to build a system to fit your application.
The EXAIR Flat Super Air Nozzles are manufactured to blow a wide forceful stream of air. Their patented design creates a high velocity, laminar air stream with minimal air consumption and low noise. They come in two sizes; 1” (25mm) and 2” (51mm), and EXAIR stocks them in two different materials, zinc-aluminum alloy and 316 stainless steel. With a metal construction, breakage is not a concern and performance is not sacrificed even in the harshest of environments. I have seen many plastic flat nozzles that were broken in applications. The noise level was loud, and compressed air was wasted. The unique patented shims inside the EXAIR Flat Super Air Nozzles give three improvements to the design and function. First, they come in different thicknesses to create a wide range of forces. In conjunction with a regulator, you can “dial” in the correct amount of force from a breeze to a hurricane without overusing your air compressor. The patented design also allows an even force across the entire width of the air nozzle. Lastly, they help to entrain the free ambient air; so that less compressed air is required. The high efficiency design will save you money. The EXAIR Flat Super Air Nozzles are effective in uniform blowing; efficient; and superior in quality and durability. You can watch a video blog on the importance of using our patented shim.
To show the different types and styles of Flat Super Air Nozzles that EXAIR stocks, you can correspond to the model number make-up sheet below.
To give force adjustments to the individual Flat Super Air Nozzles, EXAIR offers a way to change the thickness of the shim to better suit your application. You can increase or decrease the force of the nozzle by just removing two screws and changing the shim inside. This is a unique feature as most competitive flat nozzles do not allow you to do this. EXAIR offers different thicknesses of the patented shims in our Shim Sets. The chart below corresponds the appropriate Shim Set to the Flat Super Air Nozzle.
What can make the Flat Super Air Nozzles even better? More flexibility. The Stay Set Hoses can add that flexibility to the Flat Super Air Nozzles. They are designed to manually position the Flat Super Air Nozzle to accurately target the air stream. They allow maneuverability to locate the nozzle at different heights or angles; and once positioned, the Stay Set Hose will hold the nozzle in place. They come in different lengths from 6” (152mm) to 36” (914mm). We carry two different styles of connections to adapt to any of the Flat Super Air Nozzles. You can select the different lengths of Stay Set Hoses (SSH) to the Flat Super Air Nozzle by the model number make-up sheet below.
To build your system even further, EXAIR also can offer a Magnetic Base to your Stay Set Hoses and Flat Super Air Nozzles. The Magnetic Base has a powerful magnet on the bottom to securely attach the blow-off nozzles vertically or horizontally. This feature is great if you need to move the nozzles to different areas in your application. EXAIR manufactures a one-outlet and a two-outlet design. Each outlet has a ¼ turn valve to manually turn on or off the nozzle and only require one air supply inlet. To add this product to the Flat Super Air Nozzle with the Stay Set Hose, you can use the model number make-up sheet below.
With the EXAIR Flat Super Air Nozzles, you can take advantage of the durability, safety, and efficiency for your blow-off device. In addition, you can build a system that will best suit your requirements. You can add different lengths of Stay Set Hoses and/or different Magnetic Bases. With these combinations grouped into one model number and in stock for quick shipments, it makes it simple to purchase from EXAIR. Just to let you know, they also come with a 30-day unconditional guarantee to try them out. If you need any help in building your optimum blow-off system, you can speak to an Application Engineer at EXAIR. They will be happy to assist you.
John Ball
Application Engineer
Email: johnball@exair.com
Twitter: @EXAIR_jb
Super Air Amplifier Increases Airflow In Vaccum Hood For Fume Extraction
A couple days ago I took a call from an extrusion company who was looking to increase the airflow in their plating operation. They manufacture several different shapes and styles of aluminum extrusions by the way of 8 large extrusion presses. On one of the presses they make a specialty line of products that are sent to a finishing operation to be anodized.
Above the anodizing process tanks they use a vacuum hood to capture fumes and send them to a scrubber system so the air can be cleaned before being exhausted. They were starting to see an increase in the level of VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) gases in the area and, after some internal testing, determined the existing system wasn’t moving enough air through the system for the gases to be adequately delivered to the scrubber tank.
After further discussion, the customer ordered our Model # 120022 2″ Super Air Amplifier to test under our Unconditional 30 Day Guarantee. Air Amplifiers are one of the most efficient products in the EXAIR catalog. Using a patented internal shim, they use a small amount of compressed air that passes through an internal chamber where it is exhausted through a thin gap at high velocity. This directed airflow creates a lower pressure at the intake side which draws in a large amount of free air. The 2 combining air flows result in a large volume of “amplified”, high velocity exhausting airflow, making them ideal for increased air movement.
If you have an application where you need to increase airflow or if you’re looking to vent or exhaust noxious fumes, an Air Amplifier is the ideal choice. For help selecting the best Model or to discuss a particular process, please contact an application engineer for assistance.
Justin Nicholl
Application Engineer
justinnicholl@exair.com
@EXAIR_JN
Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant Agent Processing Building courtesy of PEO ACWA via creative common license.
NEMA Ratings and Enclosure Locations
Any realtor will tell you that the three most important factors in selecting a property are location, location, and location. This simply means that houses with similar features – number of bedrooms, yard size, structure, garage (or not,) basement or not,) etc. – can be found in a lot of very different neighborhoods. Whether you want to live somewhere that’s convenient to the highway, close to (or not so close to) work, near your favorite activities, etc., odds are you can find a house that meets your material needs & wants within those geographical confines. Hence, location is your #1 consideration. And your #2 and your #3 as well…my lovely bride is a real estate professional, so I have this on good authority. And, so you know, #4 is price, and #5 is condition.
Electrical and electronics controls professionals will tell you that three of the most important things to protect their equipment from are heat, moisture, and dust. If you’re looking for a durable, reliable, and low cost method for that, we’ve got the solution: the EXAIR Cabinet Cooler System. Selection of the right system comes down to determining your heat load, and…the reason for today’s blog…the LOCATION in which it will be installed.
Let’s say it’s a control panel for one of the machines on a factory production line…indoors & dry. Our NEMA 12 Cabinet Cooler Systems provide protection against dust and oil from entering the enclosure.
If the enclosure is outdoors, or indoors but subject to water spray (like in a wash-down area,) our NEMA 4 Cabinet Cooler Systems are oil tight, dust tight, AND splash resistant. They ensure the inside of the enclosure stays dry through the use of a low pressure relief valve that seals when the cooler is not operating, maintaining NEMA 4 integrity at all times.
Our NEMA 4X Cabinet Cooler Systems are made of stainless steel, and are commonly specified for food service area installations, and in corrosive environments. They’re also oil tight, dust tight, and splash resistant. These are also available in Type 316 Stainless Steel construction, for especially harsh conditions, or when this is otherwise specified due to the nature of the installation, such as critical food grade or pharmaceutical areas.
Regardless of the NEMA rating called for by the location, all EXAIR Cabinet Cooler Systems are available with a Non-Hazardous Purge option, which provides a slight positive pressure through a low (1 SCFM) air flow when internal temperature is below the thermostat setpoint and the solenoid valve is closed. This provides constant and reliable protection, even if the enclosure is not perfectly sealed, even in especially dirty or dusty environments.
High Temperature Cabinet Cooler Systems are also available when ambient temperatures can exceed 125F. These are popular in foundries, glass production facilities, and even non-air conditioned spaces in particularly warm climates.
If you’ve got sensitive, mission-critical electrical or electronic enclosures that need reliable heat protection, EXAIR has the solution you’re looking for. If you know the required cooling capacity for your enclosure, you can select the right system directly from our website. If you’d like help in calculating your heat load, you can use our Cabinet Cooler System Sizing Guide…just fill in the blanks and click “submit” – your request will be forwarded to an Application Engineer for immediate attention. Or, if you’d rather, just give me a call. We calculate heat loads over the phone all the time; it only takes a minute.
Heat Recovery from an Air Compressor
On the whole most of us are quite aware of the considerable savings that can be accomplished by wise use and recovery of energy. One way that a plant can save substantially is to capture the energy that an electric motor adds to the compressed air from the air compressor. As much as 80% to 93% of the electrical energy used by an industrial air compressor is converted to heat. A properly designed heat recovery system can capture anywhere between 50% to 90% of this energy and convert it to useful energy.
The heat recovered is sufficient in most cases to use in supplemental ways such as heating water and space heating, however generally there is not enough energy to produce steam directly.
Packaged air cooled rotary screw compressor lend themselves easily to heat recovery, supplemental heating or other hot air uses very well due to their enclosed design. Since ambient air is directed across the compressors aftercooler and lubricant cooler where the heat can be easily collected from both the compressed air and the lubricant.
Packaged coolers are normally enclosed cabinets that feature integral heat exchangers and fans. This type of system only needs ducting and an additional fan to minimize back pressure on the air compressors cooling fan. This arrangement can be controlled with a simple thermostat operated vent on a hinge and when the extra heat is not required it can be ducted outside the facility.
The recovered energy can be used for space heating, industrial drying, preheating aspirated air for oil burners or other applications requiring warm air. Typically there is approximately 50,000 Btu/Hr of energy available from each 100 SCFM of capacity (at full load). The temperature differential is somewhere between 30°F – 40°F above the air inlet temperature and the recovery efficiency is commonly found to be 80% – 90%.
We all know the old saying there is “no free lunch” and that principle applies here. If the supply air is not from outside the plant a drop in the static pressure could occur in the compressor cabinet thereby reducing the efficiency of the compressor. If you choose to use outside air for makeup, you might need some return air to keep the air above freezing to avoid compressor damage.
Heat recovery is generally not utilized with water cooled compressors since an extra stage of heat exchange is required and the efficiency of recovering that heat is normally in the 50% – 60% range.
To calculate annual energy savings:
Energy Savings (Btu/Yr) = 0.80 * compressor bhp * 2,545 Btu/bhp-hour * hours of operation.
If we consider a 50 HP compressor:
.080 * 50bhp * 2,545 Btu/bhp-hour * 2080 hrs/year = 211,744,000 Btu/yr
Where 0.80 is the recoverable heat as a percentage of the units output, 2,545 is the conversion factor.
Cost savings in dollars per year = [(energy savings in Btu/yr)/Btu/fuel) x ($/unit fuel)]/primary heater efficiency.
If you would like to discuss saving money by reducing compressed air demand and/or any EXAIR product, I would enjoy hearing from you…give me a call.
Steve Harrison
Application Engineer
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Photo courtesy of CC BY 3.0, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=32093890
EXAIR’s Vac-U-Gun: Blowoff or Vacuum with Just One Gun!
Now through the end of May, EXAIR is running a promotion on the Industrial Housekeeping Products that includes a FREE Vac-U-Gun with any purchase of an Industrial Housekeeping Vacuum System. EXAIR’s Vac-U-Gun is a low-cost solution to a wide variety of industrial housekeeping problems. The Vac-U-Gun has a durable die cast construction and no moving parts to replace or wear out.
In addition to being easy to use, the Vac-U-Gun is also more efficient than ordinary blow guns. By injecting a small amount of compressed air through directed nozzles, a vacuum is then produced on one end and a high output flow on the other. The amplified outlet flow through the Vac-U-Gun is 12 times the compressed air consumption of the gun.
The Vac-U-Gun is capable of both vacuuming material, as well as being operated as a blow gun. In vacuum mode, the work surfaces can be easily cleaned by vacuuming the debris away rather than blowing it off of the surface. Rather than simply moving the material around the shop floor, it can be contained and transferred to a waste receptacle using the 10’ vacuum hose, or straight into the filter bag.
Switching from vacuum mode to blow mode can be achieved in just a matter of seconds. To change the Vac-U-Gun from vacuum to blow mode, simply remove the threaded cap and change the orientation of the generator inside. Since the Vac-U-Gun has a large 1-1/4” diameter air outlet, it covers much more surface area in less time compared to traditional air guns. This can help to reduce the time needed for a variety of different blowing, cooling, or drying applications. Due to the nature in which the Vac-U-Gun entrains ambient air, it allows for more force and flow through the gun at a minimal compressed air consumption.
The Vac-U-Gun system is available by itself, or in one of three different kits. It can be used with or without the 10’ (3m) vacuum hose or the filter bag. Various vacuum accessories are included in the kits to accommodate a variety of different materials and applications. If you’re looking for a versatile gun that can help boost productivity in a number of applications within your facility, look no further than the Vac-U-Gun.
Tyler Daniel
Application Engineer
E-mail: TylerDaniel@exair.com
Twitter: @EXAIR_TD
No Drip Internal Mix Atomizing Nozzles
Eliminate drips to conserve valuable liquids and improve product finishes! EXAIR’s patented No Drip Atomizing Nozzle provides the same great performance as the the standard atomizing nozzles with the added benefit of positive liquid flow stoppage when the compressed air is shut off.
The No Drip option eliminates the occurrence of post spray liquid flow that results in unwanted drips that can mar a finish on painted or coated surfaces. Also, excess liquid loss is minimized saving on expensive materials like chemicals or coatings. When the compressed air is shut-off, the No Drip nozzle positively seals off the flow, eliminating the chance for a drip or lost liquid. Only one compressed air line is needed, as the line to combine and atomize the liquid also provides the no drip operation and control.
The No Drip Atomizing Nozzles are available in (3) types – Internal Mix, External Mix, and Siphon Fed.
The Internal Mix type operates under the principle that the air and liquid come together and mix ‘internal’ to the nozzle. This type provides the finest atomization and smallest droplet size. The Internal Mix type of nozzle can be used with liquids up to 300 cP in viscosity. Both the air and liquid sides are pressure fed. The No drip Internal Mix Atomizing Nozzles are best for pressure fed applications not requiring independent air and liquid control.
The No Drip Atomizing Nozzles are available in (3) sizes – 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2 NPT – to provide a wide range of flow rates and pattern sizes. The No Drip feature does not impact the flow rates compared to the standard models. Minimum air pressure operation is 30 PSIG for the 1/4 and 1/2 NPT, and just 20 PSIG for the 1/8 NPT models.
Like the standard Internal Mix Atomizing Nozzles, spray patterns include narrow and wide angle round, flat fan, deflected flat fan and a 360° hollow circular pattern offering a wide selection to best meet the application needs.
Operation at up to 180 spray cycles per minute is possible. Air and Liquid Caps can be switched out to change the pattern and flow rates.
Typical Applications
- Painting
- Coating
- Rinsing
- Cooling
- Quenching
- Wetting
- Humidification
- Dust Control
Advantages
- No post spray drip
- Adjustable
- Easily used with EFC
- Minimizes air and liquid consumption
- All stainless steel construction
- Fine atomization
- Interchangeable liquid and air caps
- Compact
If you need an Atomizing Spray Nozzle or any of the EXAIR Intelligent Compressed Air® Products, feel free to contact EXAIR and myself or one of our Application Engineers can help you determine the best solution.
Brian Bergmann
Application Engineer
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Twitter: @EXAIR_BB
