Profit from thin air
May 15th 2008 Compressed air is a versatile source of energy, but one which is often taken for granted. Its versatility can often lead to inefficient use and it is a very expensive energy source to be wasting. Tim Sparkes of Maxaura talks about how management can address these issues
As managers we have all read the stories and seen the figures, compressed air can easily account for over 15% of your factory energy costs and it is one of the few power sources that are generated on a ‘users’ site. Thus it is, or should be one cost centre that can be directly influenced by the sites facilities management.
So why isn’t better attention paid to this potentially huge cost centre? There are perhaps many reasons’ the obvious one, it must be said, is a lack of awareness of the magnitude of potential savings. Unfortunately the compressors and their associated equipment are viewed a bit like the factory cat, it is always around, they serve a purpose and demand little…they have merged into the every day familiar fabric of the work place.
Unlike the factory cat, the compressors consume considerable amounts of food and unlike the cat there are no visible signs that things are going wrong. Our experience at Maxaura indicates that the majority of systems tend to evolve over their lifetime and it is this very evolution that contributes to the various facets of inefficiency.
Compressed air efficiency is therefore something that should be high up the list of management priorities. So how can this ‘priority’ best be addressed?
Internal measures such as reporting and rectifying air leaks are a good start. Most compressor manufacturers now offer a ‘black box’ monitoring facility which will record the load pattern of your compressors and give you an appreciation of how much this ‘versatile’ energy source is costing you to generate.
However, this is only a small part of the story. A review of your production techniques is the first and most important factor in any audit. Is compressed air being used to its maximum efficiency, can its use be reduced or eliminated? Is it being delivered to where it is needed effectively, at the correct volume, pressure and quality? These are the first questions asked by specialist compressed air auditor’s Maxaura. Yes, the efficiency of generation equipment is important but let’s start by assessing how much air is actually needed to fulfil your production needs. Reduce this and the savings, typically 23-42% will soon follow.
For further information on how Maxaura’s efficiency audit service can benefit your company contact the company: | 
