Why a compressor room needs to stay cool!

Author: David J. Connaughton
Blog: Compressed Air the Fourth Utility

Compressors are often put into small rooms to reduce noise. Unfortunately, putting a compressor inside a small room creates problems. One of these problems is heat. Compressors create a lot of heat from the compression of the air. This heat is usually expelled into the room via a fan cooled aftercooler. It’s not unusual to find temperatures well above 100F (38C) regardless of the temperature outside.

About 20 years ago I was using a computer to collect data on an experiment that I was conducting inside a compressor room. I was having trouble with my computer. It seemed to freeze in the middle of my experiment and not collect the data through the full experimental run. I took it out of the compressor room, back up to my lab to trouble shoot. No matter what I did, I could not duplicate the error in my lab. I even brought the computer to the local repair shop and they could not duplicate the error either. So I brought the computer back to the compressor room and started collecting data again. But again, the computer froze up. What was going on? It turned out that the temperature inside the compressor room was so hot that the electronics inside the computer we affected. My solution was to place the computer outside the room and run lines through the wall to the experiment. Problem solved.

Heat in the compressor room has a direct effect on the quality of the compressed air in your air system. The hot room attracts moisture from the surrounding environment since hot air holds more moisture than cold air. The room acts like a sponge soaking up all the moisture surrounding the room. This moisture finds its way into the compressed air lines creating condensation and contamination. High temperatures also create finer mists of any oil carryover. Finer mists and aerosols are stable at high temperatures and have the ability therefore to bypass filtration in the compressor room and contaminate the piping system downstream.

To minimize the effects of heat inside a compressor room, you’ve got to cool it down. Fresh air circulation is key. In the summer time, air should be expelled from the room and draw in air from outside. In the winter-time, the hot air created by the compressor can be blown into the workplace for supplemental heating. Don’t just put your compressor in a room and forget about it. If you keep it maintained and keep it ventilated your whole system will perform better.

Parker Balston Filters and dryers do a great job of cleaning up the compressed air at the point of use.
If you are need more information you can contact Forberg Scientific Inc. Customer Service.
Phone: 248-288-5330
Email: mechanicalsales@forberg.com

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