3 Questions You Should Answer Before Buying Air Compressors

So many different kinds and sizes of air compressors exist on the market that one needs to know his or her needs in order to narrow down the options available. This article discusses some guiding questions that can help you to define your needs so that you can select an air compressor that will address those needs.

What Is Your Desired Air Quality?

Air quality is measured based on how much water is in that air. The contaminant load, such as the percentage of hydrocarbons present in that air, also plays a factor in air quality. Different applications require different levels of air purity. For instance, pneumatic tools may require a lower air quality than the compressed air that is needed to package drugs in a pharmaceutical plant. Knowing your air quality needs will save you from buying an expensive compressor that is designed to deliver purer air than what your needs demand.

What Flow Quantity Do You Require?

You need to compute the maximum amount of compressed air that you will need during peak demand sessions at your facility. This information can be got by adding up the air requirements of the different pieces of equipment that you have. You should also establish the amount of compressed air that may be needed during off-peak sessions. How long do peak demand sessions last? You may discover that you are better off getting several small compressors that can be used at peak capacity instead of buying one large compressor that will hardly ever be used at full capacity. The large air compressor will still consume as much energy when it is operating at minimal capacity as it would consume when it is working at full capacity.

What Air Pressure Is Required?

Air compressors can also be differentiated based on their maximum pressure rating. Look at the psi (pressure per square inch) rating of each piece of equipment at your facility. For instance, you may not need to buy an air compressor that is capable of delivering compressed air at 300psi when you don't have a machine that requires that kind of pressure.

Selecting the most appropriate air compressor for your needs requires you to find a model that fits your requirements once you have answered the questions above. You can then compare the different models in terms of price and reliability once you find those that meet your requirements. Consult experts in case you are unable to define some of your needs, such as conducting an air demand analysis of your facility.

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