Methods of Sizing

One method of sizing is the “Equivalent Air Units” method. The basic equivalent air unit is a relay type controller. Air used
by a relay type controller is 0.008 SCFM. Using this as a base, all other types of controllers are rated in units of air consumed.
Ratings may be shown or expressed in SCFM or SCIM. “SCIM” is Standard Cubic Inches per Minute. There are 1728 cubic
inches in a cubic foot. To arrive at SCFM when SCIM is known, divide the SCIM by 1728. As an example, the R516 reversing
relay is listed in a Robertshaw catalog as using 29 SCIM. By taking 29 and dividing by 1728, one will get 0.016. The R516 uses
0.016 SCFM.
Using the equivalent air units method of sizing, the R516 would be equal to two units (0.016 divided by 0.008 equals 2). A
device what would use 0.024 SCFM would be equal to three units and so on.
A simplified example of calculating air consumption units is shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1.
Of course, one could always add up all the actual air consumption of the devices in a system, but the equivalent air method
is faster, less prone to addition errors, and will be close enough in calculated air usage to result in proper compressor selection.
The next step is to select the percent of run time for the compressor to supply the needed air for the system.
Using 50% run time will result in a smaller output compressor and less expensive compressor than one sized based on 33%
run time. But, while the smaller unit may be less expensive initially, it will cost more in the long run. A compressor sized for a
33% run time should last twice as long as one sized for 50% run time.
Using our figure 1 example of a system requiring 1.096 SCFM:
For 50% run time, a multiplier of 2 is used. For 33% run time, a multiplier of 3 is used.

The resulting air requirements are then:

At 50%: 1.096 x 2 = 2.192 SCFM At 33%: 1.096 x 3 = 3.288 SCFM