Air Preparation

For the continuing performance of control systems and working elements it is necessary to guarantee that the air supply is:

• at the required pressure
• dry and
• clean

If these conditions are not fulfilled,then short to medium term degeneration of the system will be accelerated.The effect is downtime on the machinery in addition to increased costs for repair or replacement of parts.

The generation of compressed air starts off with compression.The compressed air flows through an entire series of components before reaching the consuming device.The type of compressor and its location to a lesser or greater degree affect the amount of dirt particles,oil and water which enter into a pneumatic system.The equipment to be considered in the generation and preparation of air include:

• Inlet filter
• Air compressor
• Air reservoir
• Air dryer
• Air filter with water separator
• pressure regulator
• Air lubricator as required
• Drainage points

poorly-prepared compressed air will inevitable lead to malfunctions and may manifest itself in the system as follows:

• Rapid wear of seals and moving parts in the cylinders and valves
• Oiled-up valves
• Contaminated silencers
• Corrosion in pipes,valves,cylinders and other components
• Flushing out of lubrication of moving components

In the case of leakage,escaping compressed air may impair the materials to be processed(e.g food)