[labnetwork] FW: Compressed Air??

[Weaver, John R]

This is the response from my Facility Engineer, Jeff Kuhn.  I hope it is
helpful.

John

 

From: Kuhn, Jeffrey G 
Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 4:11 PM
To: Weaver, John R; Voorhis, Mark L.
Subject: RE: [labnetwork] Compressed Air??

 

John,

 

Our Kobelco compressor is oil free, but Kobelco's smallest model is a
bit large for his needs. I've not been wild about Kobelco reliability
either. I'm told that our compressor failed shortly after installation
here at Birck.

 

There are oil vapor filters available that can produce medical grade CDA
using carbon filtration. They would probably reduce hydrocarbon
carryover to acceptable levels, but I think it is better to use an oil
free compressor. An oil vapor filter adds a potential failure mode and
additional maintenance to the system. The ramifications of filter
failure could be severe.

 

I don't have a recommendation for a specific model, but Ingersoll-Rand
manufactures several versions of oil-free rotary screw compressors. I
used them in the past with good success. They also offer smaller units
in the capacity range Dave is seeking. The downside is that they can be
expensive.

 

Jeff

 

From: Weaver, John R 
Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 3:32 PM
To: Voorhis, Mark L.; Kuhn, Jeffrey G
Subject: FW: [labnetwork] Compressed Air??

 

Any thoughts for Dave Frankel?  His e-mail is below.

 

From: labnetwork-bounces at mtl.mit.edu
[mailto:labnetwork-bounces at mtl.mit.edu] On Behalf Of David Frankel
Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 10:15 AM
To: labnetwork at mtl.mit.edu
Subject: [labnetwork] Compressed Air??

 

I have a compressed air problem and am looking for suggestions:

We have a 7.5hp dry piston air compressor supplying our modest (around
3000 sq. ft.) clean room and a number of other non-clean room research
labs.  Presently our average steady usage is around 8 cfm of compressed
air.  Our air compressor has become unreliable and I am looking into
alternatives. Previously we had a smaller dry scroll compressor which
did not stand up to heavy use.  

 

Does anyone have experience with using an oil-lubricated air compressor
with filters to reduce hydrocarbon carryover?  Does that work or is an
oil-lubricated compressor a bad idea?  

 

Any recommendations on reliable oil-less air compressors in the 7.5-10
hp (around 30 cfm ) range? 

 

Thanks,

David

 

David J. Frankel, Senior Research Scientist

Laboratory for Surface Science & Technology

University of Maine

5708 Barrows/ESRB

Orono, ME 04469

 

207-581-2256

207-581-2255 fax

frankel at maine.edu <mailto:frankel at maine.edu> 

 

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