Question:Why treat compressed air? Answer: Contaminants in compresssed air adversely affect all components of the air distribution system. Wet and dirty compressed air costs you money by:
1. Robbing your system of useful power
2. Increasing maintenance and repair expenses
3. Contributing to product rejects
With the proper compressed air treatment equipment, system power is maintained, operating expenses are reduced and production quality is improved.
Question:I am buying an air-cooled refrigerated dryer. How should I prepare the compressor room for optimal installation? Answer: The room in which the refrigerated dryer will be installed must be properly ventilated to allow sufficient air flow across the condenser. A minimum 24 in, 61 cm clearance on all models is recommended. To facilitate maintenance, leave a clearance of 36 in, 91 cm. Ensure that ambient conditions in your compressor room do not exceed or go below the design operating conditions of your selected refrigerated dryer.
Question:Where does moisture
come from? Answer: The amount of moisture air can retain is determined by its temperature and, to a lesser extent, its pressure. Any sufficient drop in temperature or increase in pressure will cause moisture to condense out of the air.
Relative humidity is the amount of moisture that is present in the air, compared to the total amount the air could hold at a certain temperature. For example: One cubic foot of air at 80°F, 27°C can hold about 12 grains of moisture.
If it is holding all 12 grains, it is said to be at 100% relative humidity or saturated. If that same cubic foot of air is holding only 6 grains of moisture, it is at 50% relative humidity.
Saturation point is the point at which air is holding all the water vapor it can (100% relative humidity). If we added more water vapor to saturated air, the water vapor would condense into a liquid.
Remember that a drop in temperature or increase in pressure will cause moisture to condense out of air that is saturated.
Condensation is the changing of water vapor into a liquid.
Dew point is the temperature at which water vapor in the air condenses into a liquid.
Pressure dew point is more meaningful because it indicates, at a given pressure, the temperature at which condensate forms in the compressed
Question:How are moisture and contaminants removed? Answer: Aftercoolers are a good first step. They lower the compressed air temperature to safe, usable levels and remove up to 70% of the water vapor; however, the air is still saturated. A further drop in temperature will cause additional condensation to occur in downstream air lines.
Air dryers remove the water vapor and lower the dew point temperature of compressed air. This prevents liquid water from forming downstream, but does not eliminate all the entrained contaminants.
Separators and filters remove the liquid water, and solid and gaseous contaminants that adversely affect the air system.
Drains discharge the accumulated water and liquid contaminants from various points throughout the air system.
Question:How do I select
the right air dryer? Answer: When selecting a compressed air dryer, consider these factors and then determine the most cost-effective system suitable for the application.
Compressed air dryers vary in relation to their dew point, initial
cost, and ongoing maintenance requirements.
1) Choose a dew point temperature below the lowest ambient temperature to which your compressed air system will be exposed.
Consider air lines:
Located in front of open doors or windows
Throughout air conditioned or unheated areas
Running underground or between buildings
2) Determine which dryers will produce the required dew point.
3) Consider initial and operating costs. The lower the dew point, the more expensive the dryer is to purchase and operate
Question:Do we offer an electric oil or grease pump? Answer: No, we find that electrical oil and grease pumps dont provide our customers with the quality and reliability we expect.
Question:Why do we use tubing instead of pipe for our installations? Answer: Tubing has many benefits over pipe, chief of which are higher working pressures and ease of install.
Question:Can diaphragm pumps be horizontally/vertically mounted? Answer: No. Diaphragm pumps are designed to be mounted vertically so that gravity assists seating the check balls. Diaphragm pumps will not work when mounted horizontally.
Question:Must I use air solenoids on the pumps for Horizons or Fluid Commanders? Answer: Should a line rupture, there is no way of preventing the pump from dumping all the oil on the shop floor without the safety of an air solenoid installed. For this reason, McGee Company always recommends the use of air solenoids on all Fluid Inventory Control systems.
Question:Should I use a filter/regulator/lubricator (FRL) on the airline for the pump? Answer: It is recommended to use an FRL for all piston pumps.(i.e. Fireball, President, etc.) However, the Eagle, Falcon, and Diaphragm pumps use only a filter and regulator. A lubricator is not recommended for these particular products.
Question:My pump is not putting out the volume it use to, what is the problem? Answer: *There is a strainer/screen on the inlet of most valves. Check to make sure screen is not clogged with debris.
*In many fluid management systems, there is a T-strainer before the fluid solenoid. Check to make sure this strainer is not clogged.
Question:My pump continually cycles even when the dispense valve is closed, why? Answer: *Verify that there is sufficient product in drum or container.
*Does pump cycle faster on one stroke than the other?
--If the pump cycles faster on the downstroke than on the upstroke, then the intake ball is not seating properly.
--If the pump cycles faster on the upstroke than on the downstroke, then the piston ball is not seating properly
*Disassemble pump and check for debris in pump or worn balls and seats.
Question:My pump is running but no product is dispensing. Why? Answer: Check for the following:
*Verify that there is product at the supply tube.
*If pump is cavitating, a follower plate or inductor plate must be used.
*Check dispense valve and hose to make sure they are not clogged.
*Verify that the pump ball checks are free of debris
Question:How much air in cfm will a diaphragm pump require? Answer: As a general rule (Pump Ratio) X (Flow Rate (GPM) @100 PSI) = approximate air consumption. All diaphragm pumps are a 1:1 ratio, therefore the flow rate in gpm will equal the cfm.
Question:Why do I no longer need a U.L. listed pump for handling used oil? Answer: Due to the National Fire Protection Agency's (NFPA) having downgraded the classification of "crankcase drainings", U.L. listed pumps are no longer required when handling used oil. For applications requiring a U.L. rated pump, such as fuel dispense, there are GRACO HUSKY 1040 U.L. approved pumps available.
Question:What is the recommended air pressure that diaphragm pump should run at? Answer: You want to run your pump at the lowest possible pressure which will pump your product. Starting at zero, increase the pump air pressure by turning the air regulator knob clockwise until matching the desired flow rate. The pump will run more efficiently and last longer at the lower pressure.
Question:Why am I not getting as high a flow rate as I was expecting from my evacuation system? Answer: Suction hose length and diameter are the most critical factors in limiting the flow rate in your system. For example, if you have a Husky 1040 diaphragm pump and use a suction hose which is 30 feet long and has 1 inch diameter you will only be able to pump approximately 4 GPM. By using the same pump but with a 3 foot long by 1 inch diameter hose you will easily pump 30 GPM
Question:Why is a thermal relief kit needed with a diaphragm pump? Answer: Thermal expansion usually arises from a cooler fluid running from a tank or barrel to a overhead reel (i.e.: oil in the pump room @ 60F - going 100ft. to overhead reel @ 80F). The difference in temperature causes the oil to expand ( 1 degree rise in temperature causes a 45 PSI increase in oil pressure in the closed system). This can cause damage to piping, reels, and meters. A thermal relief kit installed @ the pump usually alleviates this problem.
Question:Why is a thermal relief kit needed for a Falcon/Fireball/President pump? Answer: Thermal expansion usually arises from a cooler fluid running from a tank or barrel to a overhead reel (i.e.: oil in the pump room @ 60F - going 100ft. to overhead reel @ 80F). The difference in temperature causes the oil to expand ( 1 degree rise in temperature causes a 45 PSI increase in oil pressure in the closed system). This can cause damage to piping, reels, and meters. A thermal relief kit installed @ the pump usually alleviates this problem.
