A Cool History Lesson on Air-Conditioning

Air-conditioning, everyone’s best friend during the heat waves of summer, is a lot older than people think. The very first model of “air conditioning” can be traced as far back as ancient Egypt, when long, slender plants were wet and placed on the windows of houses. The water on the plants evaporated, thus cooling the incoming air. The ancient Romans would circulate water through the walls of the houses, creating a cooler interior.

Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

China also saw its share of air conditioning advancements between the 2nd and 12th centuries, when a number of notable inventors created several ways of cooling the air. Most of the ways involved rotary motors creating artificial wind. Later on, jet streams were added to these huge fans, resulting in coolness and humidity.

It wasn’t until the 17th century that chemistry was made a permanent part of the air conditioning process. Benjamin Franklin and John Hadley found that some liquids have a lower evaporation time than water. Franklin and Hadley realized that this meant objects could be cooled to the freezing point more quickly.

In 1914, Charles Gates procured the very first in-house air conditioning unit for his mansion in Minneapolis. It was a mammoth contraption that measured seven feet by six feet by twenty feet.

In 1931, the first window-type air-conditioner was invented by HH Schultz and JQ Sherman. This model was to be the prototype of air conditioners to come.

Image source: http://www.nbcwashington.com/

Eaton Compressor provides its clients with world-class industrial air compressors, many of which are used in air conditioning units of all shapes and sizes. Learn more about Eaton Compressor by visiting its official.

Ensuring Optimal Performance: Taking Care of Air compressors

Air compressors contain pressurized air inside tanks. They are widely used for a variety of industrial or household tasks. Often, they are built quite sturdily and can withstand continuous use. However, as with other machines, their performance declines as they age and get exposed to the elements.

The rate of depreciation accelerates when proper maintenance is not carried out. That is why meticulous care for the device is integral to preventing breakage and to prolonging its life. The following are some maintenance tips for air compressors:

1. Reading the manual
Manuals included in the machine package are often taken for granted, leading to improper use, errors, and even a shorter device lifespan. There are also some simple instructions in the manual that the user would not have expected or known unless he was able to read it. Reading the manual and following every instruction will also ensure the enforcement of the compressor’s warranty.

PGES0830 AND 60 GAS DRIVE-228x228

Image source: eatoncompressor.com

2. Removing the moisture from the tanks
The moisture from the compressed air is collected in the receiving tank. In humid climates, moisture build-up is even more common. There are valves built into the tanks which drain the moisture that accumulates. Regular removal can do wonders for air compressors. Before removing the water, however, one must first release the air pressure from the tanks.

3. Tightening everything
Air compressors have vibrating engines. These can loosen the screws, nuts, and bolts on a regular basis. Making sure that everything is tightly screwed will prevent future breakdown and other inconveniences.

Eaton Compressor manufactures the most competitively priced industrial grade rotary screw air compressors in the market. More about the company and its products can be read on this website.

Preventing Leaks in Compressed Air Systems

Leakage, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), is one of the largest sources of wasted energy in industrial compressed air systems. A typical plant with outflows in its industrial air compressors can lose 20 to 30 percent of its compressor’s output.

    Image source: www.leaksireland.ie

To ensure operational efficiency, DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) offers the following tips to prevent leaks in compressed air systems:

Routine maintenance for parts of the system. From couplings and fittings to pipe joints and thread sealants, leaks can come from any parts of an industrial compressor. Hence, it’s essential to do a preventive maintenance at least once a month to make sure everything is intact.

Estimate amount of leakage. There are several methods to estimate the amount of leakage of a system. One of these methods involves starting the system when there are no demands on the system to determine the amount of air escaping from the leaks.

Total leakage can be calculated using this formula:

Leakage (%) = [(T x 100)/(T+t)]Where: T = on-load time (minutes)
t = off-load time (minutes)

Apart from wasted energy, leaks in compressed air system can contribute to other operational losses, such as a significant drop in system pressure and increased unscheduled downtime. It is, therefore, important to prevent leaks as soon as possible.

Image source: www.ford-trucks.com

Eaton Compressor provides a wide selection of industrial air compressors that are both high-quality and affordable. Visit this website for the company’s latest offerings.

Air Compressor as an Alternative Power Source

Like other combustion engines, air compressors are widely used as an efficient power source for different applications. By one of the several methods, an air compressor can create pressure to power up a variety of equipment and devices used in various industries.

Image source: www.eatoncompressor.com
     Image source: www.eatoncompressor.com

Unlike other sources of power, however, an air compressor does not require any form of conversion from other types of energy such as heat at the point its application, which makes it one of the cleanest and most sustainable types of energy source. The compressed air produced by the machine involves translatory forces in a variable force field. This means that since most of its energy is generated “in-house” or in a controlled environment, owners have more control over it compared to other utility such as electricity and gas.

While there are a dozen forms of energy to choose from, the power produced by air compressors is more flexible because they can be operated in areas where there is no stable source of energy. Moreover, in terms of safety, air compressors eliminates the dangers of electric shock and fire hazard since they run cooler than electrical tools and have the advantage of not being damaged by overload or stalling.

polar_Air_pictures_309

Image source: www.eatoncompressor.com

More than a tool for selected equipment, air compressors are definitely a good choice for efficient and clean alternative power source.

Eaton Compressor is a leading manufacturer and distributor of industrial air compressors and similar products. Visit this website for reviews of the company’s latest offerings.