ENERGY EVALUATION IN COMPRESSED-AIR SYSTEMS.

Air-driven tools operate better and last longer when clean, dry compressed air is used. Problems associated with breathing polluted air are readily understood and well known. The importance of using clean, dry air to power tools is more clearly understood with the realization that the moisture, dust, dirt, pollen, fumes, and odors in atmospheric air are concentrated by a factor of 8 when that air is compressed to 100 psig. The article discusses harmful effects that moisture in compressed air might produce, methods of eliminating moisture from various parts of the compressed air system and contaminants other than moisture and how to eliminate them.