There are two major costs associated with using any pneumatic system. One is the cost of electricity to run air compressors, and the other is the cost of maintenance and repair of your entire pneumatic system. Air preparation products (filters, regulators and lubricators or FRLs) are important parts in controlling costs in both areas. Read on to learn how regulators fit in.
Air regulators play a major role in keeping the cost of compressed air down by keeping system pressure at the optimal level. Most components are designed to run at 60 to 80 PSI – a much lower pressure than most air compressors generate. Decreasing your air pressure by two PSI typically yields a 1% reduction in electricity cost. Running the FRL system at the correct pressure also prolongs the service life of pneumatic components, thus saving additional money and time on maintenance and repair.
Savings are even greater if the system has lots of leaks in it, because the system is losing air through these leaks even when the pneumatic components and tools are not in use. Increasing pressure unnecessarily will increase the losses through the system leaks.
In conclusion, to control the operating costs of your pneumatic system, do not skip on your air preparation products. FRLs play an important role in keeping your system efficient, your pneumatic components protected, and your bank account happy.
Read about how installing filters saves you money.
Questions about FRLs?
Posted by Marek Bobik
