Tag: reliability

EXAIR: Removing Concerns for OEMs. 

Published on by John BallLeave a comment

Are you an OEM?  Some of the largest concerns for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are supply chain interruptions, quality issues, confidence in suppliers, and pricing.  In today’s market, changes occur frequently, and you need to rely on a supplier that can meet those changes.  With pneumatic blow-offs, static elimination, atomizing nozzles, pneumatic conveying, and electrical panel cooling, EXAIR can be that supplier for you. 

Since the establishment of EXAIR in 1983, customer satisfaction, quality, and quick turnaround have always been the cornerstone of our business model.   And with this type of business model, our company continues to grow each year.  Now EXAIR is recognized as a brand of excellence worldwide.  With thousands of products in stock, we are able to ship with over a 99.9% on-time delivery.  EXAIR offers free expert technical advice and shares solutions to pneumatic issues through EXAIR Blogs, application library, and social media. You can watch a quick video about EXAIR below.

Many companies are global and have plants and facilities throughout the world.  If details like cost savings, safety, increased productivity, problem-solving, and energy efficiency were shared with affiliates, it would be very beneficial for everyone.  It can help to grow profits, protect employees, improve throughput, and save energy, which will help to protect the environment.  Since EXAIR is a leader in these areas of compressed air products, we can help you and your partners with pneumatic solutions. EXAIR sells direct in the USA, and we have over 50 distributors located throughout the rest of the world.  If we do not have a distributor in your area, EXAIR does have an International Department that can assist you directly. 

Why would you rely on lesser component parts that could affect your brand?  This could be due to late deliveries, quality problems, and/or issues in the field.  EXAIR can save you and your customers that headache.  If you or your affiliates use compressed air to cool, dry, clean, convey, vacuum, or remove static electricity, EXAIR can improve these processes.  With our large inventory, technical support, and quality design, we can accommodate the excellence that you expect from your supplier.  You can contact us by phone at 800-903-9247, Chat, or email Application Engineers.  We will be happy to assist you.

John Ball
Application Engineer
Email: johnball@exair.com
Twitter: @EXAIR_jb

Removing Condensation Is Key To Maintaining Performance

Published on by exaircorpLeave a comment

When air is compressed, it is heated to a point that causes the water or moisture  to turn to vapor. As the air begins to cool, the vapors turn to condensation, which can cause performance issues in a compressed air system. Many times this condensation forms in the basic components in the system like a receiver tank, dryer or filter.

Condensation is formed from water vapor in the air

It’s important to remove this condensation from the system before it causes any issues. There are four basic types of condensate drains that can be used to limit or prevent loss of air in the system.

The first method would be to have an operator manually drain the condensation through a drain port or valve. This is the least reliable method though as now it’s the operator’s responsibility to make sure they close the valve so the system doesn’t allow any air to escape which can lead to pressure drops and poor end-use device performance.

Example of a float drain

Secondly, a float or inverted bucket trap system can be used in plants with regular monitoring and maintenance programs in place to ensure proper performance.. These types of drain traps typically require a higher level of maintenance and have the potential to lose air if not operating properly.

An electrically actuated drain valve can be used to automatically drain the condensate at a preset time or interval. Typically these incorporate a solenoid valve  or motorized ball valve with some type of timing control.  These types of systems can be unreliable though as the valve may open without any moisture being present in the line, which can result in air loss or it may not be actuated open long enough for acceptable drain off. With these types of drains, it’s best to use some type of strainer to remove any particulate that could cause adverse performance.

Lastly,  zero air-loss traps utilize a reservoir and a float or level sensor to drain the condensate and maintain a satisfactory level. This type of setup is very reliable but does require the reservoir be drained frequently to keep the system clean and free of debris or contaminants.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss a particular process, contact an application engineer for assistance.

Justin Nicholl
Application Engineer
justinnicholl@exair.com
@EXAIR_JN

 

Condensation image courtesy of Anders Sandberg via creative commons license

Float drain image courtesy of the Compressed Air Challenge

20 Year Old Cabinet Cooling System Still Working Today

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Recently, I had dinner with some family that I hadn’t seen in a quite a while.  As part of catching up and reminiscing about old times, the discussion went to professions and ‘what are you doing now?’  I told my uncle that I was doing Application Engineering for EXAIR Corporation, and he asked about what we do. I responded that we manufacture an extensive array of Intelligent Compressed Air Products, and then gave a few specifics, like Air Knives, Line Vacs, and Cabinet Cooler Systems. Since my uncle had worked in the chemical process and research industry for many years, he was at least familiar with the products I had mentioned.  He then shared stories about the facility he works at, and because I had worked there many years ago in college (driving a forklift), he knew I would appreciate hearing about all the changes in the last quarter decade.  Eventually, the evening came to and end and we went our separate ways.

Very soon after I received a text message with the below photo attached. Sure enough, my uncle had come across an EXAIR Cabinet Cooler System installed in his facility.  Based on the photo, I identified it as a NEMA 12 model, with a cooling capacity of 275 or 550 BTU/hr. When I did an order history search, I confirmed it was a model 4208 (550 BTU/hr) and found it had shipped in August of 1995, and that my uncle’s name was listed as the order contact, since he placed the order.

Small World!

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Model 4208, NEMA 12 Cabinet Cooler System, Installed in 1995 – Still Working Today

Speaking of small worlds, the model 4208 and it’s little brother model 4204, are perfect for small cabinet enclosures that have a minor amounts of internal heat generation, such as a power supply, or moderate outside heat transfer.  Capable of producing 550 BTU/hr and 275 BTU/hr of cooling while using just 8 and 4 SCFM of 100 PSIG compressed air, the EXAIR Cabinet Cooler Systems offer a great way to keep cabinets cool and worry free, as evidenced by over 20 years of operation.  Just provide clean air (a simple 5 micron water/dirt filter is recommended) and it will operate worry free for a long time.

EXAIR manufactures Cabinet Cooler Systems from 275 to 5600 BTU/hr, for NEMA 12, NEMA 4 and NEMA 4X enclosures. They are available in Continuous Operation, (2) Types of Thermostat Control, special designs for High Temperature environments, and a Non- Hazardous Purge. Materials of construction include aluminum, stainless steel, and type 316 stainless steel.

To discuss your application and how an EXAIR Cabinet Cooler System would help out, feel free to contact EXAIR and one of our Application Engineers can help you determine the best solution.

Brian Bergmann
Application Engineer

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