Month: August 2009

Pulling Yarn

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A rug manufacturer contacted us needing a cost effective alternative to expensive aspirators they use in their industry.  They use these to pull yarn from spools as well as hold tension.

I recommended the EXAIR Line Vac model # 6078. In the video you can see how effortlessly and quickly it can strip the yarn off the spool.

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Not only did it perform well, it only cost $70 compared to $500 they were currently paying. In addition, it used a fraction of the compressed air, providing a huge energy savings.

Joe Panfalone
Application Engineer
joepanfalone@exair.com

Super Air Wipe Saves Wire Manufacturer Serious Compressed Air Volume

Published on by Neal RakerLeave a comment

A major supplier of wire and cable around the world had recently undergone an energy audit. Part of the energy audit was a sub-audit of all compressed air applications in their facility. The one that brought in the most savings was for blowing off wire after it had gone through a wash and rinse tank.

The customer was using (2) 1/4″ copper tubes running at 85 PSIG to blow off the wire which was less than 1/8″ OD. The customer implemented the audit suggestion to change the copper tubes over to a Model 2400 1/2″ Super Air Wipe. The Super Air Wipe was installed and did a better job at blowing off the cable than was being performed by the copper tubes.

The biggest bonus though was the air savings. The customer went from a total of 60 SCFM @ 85 PSIG to 14 SCFM at the same inlet pressure. So, they are now at less than 25% of their original air consumption. Once the customer realized the savings, they quickly implemented this change to their other 9 lines. The air savings was so effective that the customer was able to turn off a 100 HP air compressor!  Now that is saving energy.

Neal Raker
Application Engineer
nealraker@exair.com

Furnace Heat No Match For High Temp Cabinet Cooler

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A customer who heat treats pipe for use in oil and gas drilling operations was experiencing heat-related shutdowns of the burner control equipment because the control box was located directly above the furnace being used to do the heat treating.  Not the most ideal setup due to the high ambient temperatures near the furnace, but not to worry.  I was able to offer him a simple solution. 

Based on the current internal temperatures the control box was reaching and the target maximum temperature he was trying to get to, a 1700 BTU/hr unit was going to work best.  The enclosure was Nema 4 rated, and the ambient temperatures were reaching up to 145°F.  Thus, a model HT4825 High Temp Cabinet Cooler System was the perfect solution.  It has the cooling capacity to keep the control box at a safe operating temperature for the equipment inside.  Its components are made of materials that are able to withstand the high ambient temperatures.  The thermostat control will allow the unit to shut off as needed, to minimize compressed air consumption. 

Upon hearing my recommendation, he was thankful that we had a solution to offer him, and was pleasantly surprised to learn that his problem was going to be a simple one to fix, quickly.

Emily Mortimer
Application Engineer
emilymortimer@exair.com

Vortex Tube Provides Cooling Tunnel for Pipe

Published on by Kirk EdwardsLeave a comment

A manufacturer of hardwood plywood and veneer has developed a soy based adhesive which bonds the layers of wood and veneer. This adhesive runs through a 4″ pipe and is activated by heat. The 4″ pipe runs from the source of the adhesive throughout the plant to individual bonding machines.

The adhesive moves very slowly through the pipe; it basically sits in the pipe and moves only when it is applied at one of the bonding machines. One portion of the pipe runs high into the ceiling of the plant where it picks up some heat. This heat causes the adhesive to begin to set up and causes a great deal of trouble dispensing the adhesive into the bonding machines and through the nozzles which apply it to the wood.

An EXAIR Vortex Tube model 3240 was installed on to a 5″ PVC pipe which was retrofitted around the 4″ adhesive pipe. The PVC pipe section is 10 feet long. The Vortex Tube is pumping cold air in between the two pipes and providing the necessary cooling to keep the adhesive from setting which allows the customer to apply it without any problems.

In applications like this it is best to seal the open ends of the pipe as well as possible and supply a small vent hole for the Vortex Tube air flow. With the vent hole on one end and the Vortex Tube on the other end of the 10′ pipe section, the air flow moves down the length of the entire pipe and provides the cooling.

Kirk Edwards
Application Engineer
kirkedwards@exair.com