Improving the Performance of Compressed Air Systems

Course Outline

The course is meant to furnish compressed air system operators with a source that details opportunities for system performance improvement. It should not be considered an all-inclusive engineering treatise concerning the subject, but a vehicle which provides compressed air system users with major points for the improvement of their systems.

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 three hour course, the student will learn the following regarding industrial compressed air systems:

• Compressed air needs analysis;
• Potentially inappropriate uses of compressed air;
• System leaks;
• Pressure drop and controlling system pressure;
• System controls;
• Compressed air storage;
• Component level improvement opportunities;
• System maintenance for peak performance; and
• Methods of heat recovery.
  
  

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. While there is no prerequisite for this course, it is highly recommended that the student review PDH course number M193 Introduction to Industrial Compressed Air Systems before embarking on this educational session.

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 2 of the above publication. You may find it helpful to review Appendix A as well.

Section 2 - The Performance Opportunity Roadmap
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.

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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.

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