Air User :: PVL Ltd, Are you using your air or losing your air?


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Are you using your air or losing your air?
July 01st 2005

Since the introduction of the Climate Change Levy the cost of electricity to industry has increased and this trend isn’t about to stop. In order to assist engineers and distributors to address these issues PVL has introduced the ClimaAir, an innovative yet straightforward way to measure the flow rate of compressed air that is being generated by your system.

Using proven engineering techniques it allows the measurement and therefore the management of a compressed air system The ClimaAir system is essentially a ‘hot tap’ kit for compressed air pipework. The system, which comes in a fitted case, comprises a probe that is inserted into the pipe through a previously installed ball valve coupled with a hand held display instrument. The end of the ClimaAir (that is inserted into the compressed air pipework) has a probe with a precision laser cut turbine mounted on sapphire bearings within it that ensures accurate measurement of air velocity. The probe also incorporates a PT100 temperature sensor and an absolute pressure transducer.

The ClimaAir is simple to use and comes with a clearly written manual that explains how to get started. However, users experiencing difficulties can also get readily available support. In use, once the probe has been inserted approximately two fifths of the way into the pipe the display instrument prompts the user to enter the pipe diameter. The instrument then measures and displays air velocity, temperature and pressure, and then calculates and displays, the air flow rate in m3/h. The ClimaAir can be used on pipework of between 1 and 6 inch diameter and on systems with air pressure of up to 16bar. At lower pressures the ClimaAir can be used on pipes up to 18 inches diameter. This system, as used by such high profile customers as Toyota in Skelmersdale is available to purchase at Ł2860.

MEASUREMENT AND MANAGEMENT The display unit provides data logging capabilities and has inputs for extra probes and outputs for a printer and to a PC. Software is also available, to enable logged measurements to be easily transferred to any host trend analysis package.

Their are two distinct types of users of the ClimaAir system. The first of these would be the medium to large end user – as is demonstrated by the previously mentioned Toyota plant. These types of facilities typically would have an energy manager and the ClimaAir is a simple way for that manager to get a tight grip on the compressed air system at his/her facility. Of course, with the huge amount of electricity used in the generation of compressed air such a management initiative could have a very fast payback.

The second potential ClimaAir user would be the compressed air distributor. With the compressed air market being a very competitive one the ability to offer their customers a revealing insight into the pattern of their air use would offer the distributor a new revenue stream and would also help them forge closer ties with their customers. The distributor becomes part of the problem solving engineering team rather than just a supplier of blue boxes with ever decreasing margins.

SAME SAME BUT DIFFERENT The need to measure and manage has become more important with regards to energy and this is reflected not only with the introduction of the ClimaAir but also of other associated products. Also available are highly effective ultrasonic leak detectors that come with a range of sophistication, depending on what the application requires. Also available alongside the ClimaAir are a range of measurement systems (all using the same instrument) such as the ClimaOil – a flowmeter with datalogger for hydraulics and the ClimaGas that can monitor, measure and log gas flow across a large range of gases (air, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Hydrogen etc. etc.). This range will soon be expanded and is set to include such applications as the measurement of gases generated from landfill sites and refrigerant measurement in air conditioning systems.

Reflecting these changes in the products offered and their different nature from PVL’s core offering, as from August 1st the ClimaAir will be available through Plan-B Marketing, a new company set up to give these products the expertise they require at PVL. All contact details remain the same though.