Air
Compressor Commissioning & Installation Services
The definition of Commissioning from Compressed Air Best Practice magazine, “Compressed air system commissioning is the
process for measuring, testing, adjusting, and documenting that the performance of an entire compressed air system achieves the target
system efficiencies (scfm/kW as a whole and for each piece of equipment) in all load regimes and potential failure modes.”
Proper compressor installation and commissioning helps ensure trouble-free startup and long-term reliability. Thorough inspection and
critical review during each phase of the installation process eliminates “built-in” deficiencies or problems which could later result in
equipment failures or poor performance.
Commissioning: Start with the Preparation
Checking your air compressor before the installation is critical to its' success. The checklists in the below sections are intended to aid
in this inspection/review process, but refer to your manufacturer's instruction manual for exact details.
Installation Checks
{"values":"Installation is per manufacturer's instructions "}
{"values":"Belt properly aligned "}
{"values":"Compressor turns freely"}
{"values":"Compressor in place and properly anchored"}
{"values":"Shipping pallets removed"}
{"values":"Power disconnect is located within site of the unit it controls and labeled"}
{"values":"All electric connections tight "}
{"values":"Safeties installed and operational "}
Reverse Rotation Check
This is probably the single most important startup item that should be conducted before starting the compressor.
The compressor should be “bump started” (i.e. control power de-energized immediately after startup) and the direction of the pressure gauge
movement should be checked to insure that the discharge pressure rises upon compressor start. If the compressor rotation is backwards the
discharge pressure will be pulled immediately into a vacuum, on a rotary unit this will starve the air-end of needed oil and cause air-end
damage within a seconds. If the rotation is backwards, the phasing of the compressor should be corrected (reversing any two leads will
change rotation) before attempting to re-start the compressor.
Some 3 phase units come with a piece of paper taped to the top of the cabinet. If the electrical phases are correct when started it will
blow the paper up revealing an OK on the bottom, this indicates the rotation is correct. In cases the phases are out of sequence when
started air will be pulled into the cabinet sucking the paper down, this would indicate incorrect phase sequence and wrong motor rotation
and would need corrected immediately before restarting.
Start-Up Of the Compressor
Great news, your pre-commissioning is all set. Now is time for installation and the next round of commissioning checklists. Below are a few
things to keep in mind during start up.
Startup Check List
{"values":"Pull disconnect and ‘lock out’ switch"}
{"values":"Activate disconnect switch"}
{"values":"Bump for proper rotation of motors"}
{"values":"Close receiver valve and start "}
{"values":"With valve closed let machine come up to pressure "}
{"values":"Check for proper cycling operation"}
{"values":"VFD interlocked to control system "}
{"values":"Open receiver valve"}
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Who we are and how Ash Air can help your business!
Ash Air has been around in New Zealand since 1979, and we’ve grown into a nationwide company with international support and a
reputation for quality and reliability.We look after all things compressed air for your business!
Reciprocating, Screw, air compressors
Vacuum pumps
Nitrogen
An extensive line of air treatment components
Ash Air's range of Chicago Pneumatic, Alup, Pneumatech, and Quincy compressors are used extensively around the world in industries
ranging from oil and gas to food, automotive and farming, and we bring you these world class compressors here in the land of the long white
cloud.Our technicians are compressed air equipment experts and are dedicated to addressing customer needs. Supported by a 13 locations
nationwide, Ash Air offers one of the widest selections of compressed air equipment and parts available today in New Zealand.
Reliability and Efficiency
With Ash Air compressors, you can count on reliability and high performance for even the most demanding applications. We focus our
efforts on the following:
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performance. Whether you purchase a large or small unit, you can rely on a vacuum pump for smooth, consistent and relatively quiet operation
for many months on end between each inspection.
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Just like any other equipment, a compressed air installation also requires the necessary maintenance work during its entire
lifespan. Even though maintenance costs are only about 5 to 10% of a machine's annual operating costs, failure to budget for
maintenance can have potentially disastrous consequences.
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The air dyer is one of the most ignored cooler in the system. A dirty condenser will cause water in the lines, or worse it will cause
complete dryer failure.
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Using nitrogen is not about fully replacing CO2, but it can reduce their consumption of CO2 by close to 70%. Using nitrogen is about
sustainability. Creating your own nitrogen is easy and will reduce the use of a greenhouse gas, which is better for the environment. It will
also save you money as early as month one adding that savings to your bottom line.
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ICONS: Intelligent Connectivity System: The insight into your compressed air system, wherever you are. Learn More about ICONS in this article here!
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