With compressed air being responsible for ten to 15 per cent of industrial electricity use Australia-wide, an air audit can reveal surprising opportunities to reduce energy consumption and overall business costs.
Compressed air systems using outdated technologies, poorly sized equipment or inadequate control systems which are operating with unknown air leaks can lead to inefficiency and overspending. Energy efficiency air audits can identify opportunities to reduce energy consumption and operating costs, while increasing system reliability, productivity and even equipment life.
Why is an air audit necessary?
Compressed air is an inefficient form of energy, with 90 per cent of the input energy normally discharged to the atmosphere as waste heat. Additionally, compressed air systems are often poorly set up, maintained and controlled which creates further inefficiencies. It is not unusual to find a system using only 50 per cent of compressed air productively. This is not only costly from a sustainability standpoint; wasting energy means wasting money. This is why both government and industry bodies recommend that businesses take measures to improve the efficiency of their compressed air systems.
CAPS Australia delivers a complete range of auditing solutions that are at the forefront of the compressed air industry. With a ‘whole system’ approach that provides long-term, sustainable and financially rewarding solutions, CAPS has consulted for some of Australia’s largest and most well-known companies, helping them obtain government grants, achieve environmental goals, reduce lifetime costs associated with compressor equipment and improve efficiencies.
What does an air audit involve?
Not all audits are the same, but the most effective are designed from the ground up to be a comprehensive system analysis tool that considers a broad range of variables beyond the compressor itself.
A comprehensive audit should include analysis of:
- Air demand – an analysis of system operations such as air flow, pressure, power consumption, air usage and quality
- Pressure drops – regulation of air pressure used by end devices
- Leak reduction – detect and eliminate artificial demand
- Control methods – identifying what is the most efficient system (start/stop, load/unload, throttling or variable speed), based on operating needs
- Compressor selection – whether you are best suited to reciprocating, rotary screw or centrifugal compressor technologies
- Alternative technologies selection – whether you would benefit from electronic controllers that would match demand across multiple compressors, waste heat recovery that recycles ‘electrical compressor waste’ for secondary uses in your facility, and other ancillary equipment that will minimise the impact on your efficiency
- General – analysing whether the location and arrangement of your compressed air equipment is ideal, along with a review of current system maintenance
The audits CAPS provides are typically non-invasive, low-cost and simple to undertake, yet provide highly valuable insights into the operation and efficiency of your system. Designed around you, with easy-to-understand, meaningful and implementable reports, CAPS makes recommendations for smarter alternatives which can reduce energy use and enhance your bottom line.
Big picture thinking for smarter, greener outcomes that ultimately improve overall site profitability are key to long- term sustainability journeys.
CAPS identifies cost-effective energy efficiency opportunities to reduce greenhouse gases, meet long-term objectives like productivity targets and social responsibilities, and manage upfront, maintenance and lifetime costs.
If your system hasn’t been measured, how will you know how much you can save?
Learn more at www.caps.com.au
This sponsored editorial is brought to you by CAPS Australia.
