Print this page Introduction to Industrial Compressed Air Systems
Course Outline
Compressed air systems play a critical role in the manufacturing and industrial process industries. Enormous amounts of energy are expended annually to produce air at elevated pressures above ambient. Understanding the sub-systems and sub-components of these systems is the first step in the process of insuring the proper design of new systems and the improvement of existing ones.
This course includes
a multiple choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding
of the course materials.
Learning Objective
At the conclusion of this two hour course, the student will learn the following regarding industrial compressed air systems:
- The two types or classes of compressors and how to identify them;
- System components and parts and the function of each;
- Controls and their functions;
- Distribution systems, and;
- Sector uses
of compressed air.
Intended
Audience
The course is directed toward Mechanical Engineers in the process and mechanical
industries but will provide helpful knowledge to Engineers of any discipline.
No prerequisites are required of the student but a basic familiarity with compressible
fluid flow would be helpful.
Course Content
The entirety of this course content is taken from the second edition of the United States Department of Energy (DOE) publication entitled Improving Compressed Air System Performance: A Sourcebook for Industry. The publication was developed jointly by the DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Best Practices Program and the Compressed Air Challenge®. The Compressed Air Challenge® is a coalition of compressed air systems auditors, trade associations, equipment manufacturers and distributors, utilities, and government agencies interested in the performance improvement of industrial compressed air systems.
For this course,
you are required to study Section 1 of the above publication. You may find it
helpful to review Appendix A as well.
Section 1 - Introduction to Industrial Compressed Air Systems
Appendix A - Glossary of Basic Compressed Air System Terminology
The link to the publication is Improving Compressed Air System Performance: A Sourcebook for Industry.
Please click on the above underlined hypertext to view, download or print the document for your study.
Additional Resources
The DOE publication
contains four additional appendices. Each of these appendices contains additional
useful information on efficiency ratings, standardized equipment report formats,
and an overview of the compressed air system marketplace.
Quiz
Once
you finish studying the
above course content,
you need to
take a quiz
to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
