GULBERG CONSULTING LIMITED Portlaoise, Ireland

1 April 2011

Version 1.0

COMPRESSED AIR SYSTEMS IN PROCESS AND POWER INDUSTRY

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GULBERG CONSULTING LIMITED Portlaoise, Ireland

1 April 2011

Version 1.0

INTRODUCTION TO THIS DOCUMENT: These instructions shall be used for guidance and information only. The correct and righteous installation of compressed air systems presents difficulties of varying degrees, some relatively minor and others of more critical nature. DISCLAIMER: This publication is intended as guidance only. The project specific installation documents should always be followed. Gulberg Consulting Limited bears no liability and accepts no responsibility for eventual damage caused by incorrect information in this publication.

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GULBERG CONSULTING LIMITED Portlaoise, Ireland

1 April 2011

Version 1.0

1. Installation of piping for Compressed air systems 2.1 System without air dryer 2.1.1 General If an air dryer is not used the compressed air will contain a certain amount of humidity that will turn into condensate inside the piping. This possible water must not enter back into the compressor nor be collected into water pockets inside the pipes since this would lead into rust formation. To avoid corrosion the piping must be provided with slopes towards the draining points as shown in figure 1. The piping between the compressor and air bottle shall also be provided with slope toward the bottle and swan neck as shown in figure 1. The slope of the piping towards the collecting/draining points shall be 1:50100. Swan necks to be used for all outlet pipes including the compressor.

Figure: 1

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GULBERG CONSULTING LIMITED Portlaoise, Ireland

1 April 2011

Version 1.0

2.1.2 System arrangements and components The Swan-neck With the swan-neck the outlet pipe is connected to the topside of the main pipe. By this arrangement water in the main pipe cannot enter into the outlet pipe. Shut-off valves In order to enable maintenance water separators, oil mist devices etc in the system shut-off valves are to be placed upstream of these components. Draining points At the low points in the piping system draining valves are to be installed. The air bottle itself contains a drain valve. Water collectors Water collectors are usually installed at the outlets of pipes where big amount of condensate occurs. System water separator A system water separator should be installed before instruments that are sensitive to water. A common place in workshops are at the outlets to air tools. It is also common to have a combined filter and water separator. Pipe end water collector In long header lines a water collector and drain point can be installed in lowest point at the end of header line. NOTE! The above-mentioned devices are to be installed as per the project specific P&I-diagrams, device lists and piping layouts/isometrics.

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GULBERG CONSULTING LIMITED Portlaoise, Ireland

1 April 2011

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2.2 System provided with air dryers 2.2.1 General When an air dryer is installed to the system the humidity of the air will be dried out. Consequently, no condensate will form up in the piping system after the dryer. The piping between the compressor and air bottle shall be provided with slope toward the bottle as shown in figure 2. However, in case that the air dryer would be out of order it is recommended to take the outlet pipes from above (swan neck) and arrange with draining on all low points of the piping system.

Figure: 2 2.3 Connecting compressors to the system When two or more compressor units are connected to the same main pipeline the connecting pipes from the units shall be connected to the topside of the main pipe in order to prevent possible condensate to enter into the compressors.

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GULBERG CONSULTING LIMITED Portlaoise, Ireland

1 April 2011

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2.4 How to use Ermeto tube fittings

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GULBERG CONSULTING LIMITED Portlaoise, Ireland

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