Your passion is vinification, ours is air compressors.
Compressed air accounts for a large amount of energy consumption in the wine production process, especially in the production of grapes. A
big part of wine-making is a result of the work of equipment and is dependent on its efficiency.
An air compressor should be located in well ventilated, shaded areas, out of direct sunlight. This includes the inlet for the compressed
air system which should be located away from heat sources such as the compressed air outlet, refrigeration or air conditioning plant and
equipment.
Winery
Equipment Uncorked: What is Powered by Air
Wineries of all sizes depend on compressed air for powering continuous-duty machines from crushing grapes to bottling, labeling and filling.
These machines require a very precise amount of clean, oil-free air to accomplish the following items:
Pressing Grapes: Air compressors are often paired with a bladder press to aid in pushing out the grapes juice through the
vent holes.
Crushing Grapes: Sadly, villagers do not stomp barefoot in vats to crush grape harvests anymore. Teaming up with a
pressurized bladder, compressed air slowly inflates the tank to press the grapes to the surface.
Heat & Cool Product: Monitoring temperature and keeping best temperature ranges during fermentation is a very critical
part of making a great wine. Excesses above or below the ideal range will have a direct impact on your finished wine, including whether or
not it finishes at all
Filter & Dry Product: Running a filtration system, which is the fastest and most efficient way to filter your finished
wine before bottling.
Aeration: Aeration is an essential process of introducing oxygen to the wine to round out and soften. Oil-free compressors
are ideal because they don't risk contaminating your masterpiece with oil - affecting the quality and the taste.
Bottling: Bottling is one of the most common uses for air compressors in wineries and smaller commercial operations.
Pressurized air is vital for moving wine from the conditioning tank or barrels to the bottle, and for keeping lines clean and free of water.
Bottling uses a lot of air, so getting the right unit is critical. If you select an undersized or non-continuous rated unit, it will most
likely get hot and start "spitting" oil into the lines. Even with a water trap, oil filters, and water filters, contamination will still get
through pneumatic lines and wreak chaos on your equipment.
Clean Air = Clean Wine: No matter what size the operation, you will want an oil-free air compressor that is UL-listed,
comes with an ASME-certified tank and uses the right combination of air treatment accessories to produce the most contaminant-free air
possible. But, if you're still using an oil-lubricated compressor, you'll need to incorporate refrigerated dryers and in-line air filters to
remove moisture, oil, and other airborne contaminants. Whether you are a large winery coop or an independent, small winery, choosing the
right air compressor and accessories will go a long way to protect your investment and the award-winning wine you create.
Our Air Compressor Pro's are here to help you develop a complete compressed air solution, providing you with the best selection and pricing
delivered right to your door. If you need help deciding which compressor is right for your winery, Ash Airhas you
covered.
As we wouldn't know which grapes to select for the perfect complex red, picking the right compressor for your winery can leave anyone unsure
on such a big decision.
Here
are a few tips to keep in mind when comparing compressors:
1. Maintenance: Select an air compressor that is easy to maintain and to get into. Chicago Pneumatic compressors
taking the guessing out of what to do. With detailed manuals to know what is required at each hour interval of your machine.
2. Replacement parts: Don't pick a machine that you have to track filters and parts down for. With a dedicated team
(help@ashair.co.nz) it's simple to order parts and keep your machine always working at it's optimal performance.
3. Noise: Yes, noise is something to consider when selecting your compressor. No one needs a nagging employee
complaining about the noise of a machine. Ask about the decibel chart and where the compressor ranks.
4. Installation: You need to be thinking about where this compressor is going to go. A quiet screw compressor should
go inside and can be right beside your employees with minimal noise. Looking to put your compressor outside? Keep in mind, not all
compressors are meant for outside. Weather is a huge component to harming your compressor, so make sure you ask if they have a "weather
kit".
6. Drains: Compressed air produces moisture in your machine. Drains are essential to draining that moisture out of
your machine. Make sure you ask where the drains are located, are they automatic and how often you should be manually draining.
The most energy demanding piece of equipment in a winery is often the air compressor.
Air compressors must be adequately sized for their application. Many businesses make the mistake of installing a
compressor, larger than necessary in size, to allow for future expansion.Our suggestion is to install a compressor that will operate closer
to peak capacity and add a back-up unit for periods of high demand. The back up compressor can be fitted with a variable speed control which
reduces the speed at which the motor operates during periods of low demand.
Energy Efficiency: Considered a Variable-Speed Compressor
Not only can a VSD save energy, especially when used with rotary or screw compressors which are quite inefficient at low or partial load,
but the compressor motor is also placed under less stress during start-ups and shut downs.
For smaller wineries that only use a single air compressor motor, the use of a VSD compressor can similarly reduce motor speed and deliver
significant savings of between 15 and 40%.
Explore Variable Speed Compressors
Chicago Pneumatic CPVSd 10 Oil Injected VSD Driven Screw Compressor with 270 L Receiver + Dryer
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!
Rotary Screw and Piston Air Compressors
Vacuum Pumps and Blowers
Nitrogen Generation
An extensive line of Air Treatment components
AIRnet Piping System and Filtration
Mobile Compressors, Generators, and Light Towers
Ash Air's range of Chicago Pneumatic, ALUP, Pneumatech, and Atlas Copco products 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 with
nationwide coverage, Ash Air offers one of the widest selections of compressed air, vacuum pump, and industrial gas equipment and parts
available today in New Zealand.
Reliability and Efficiency
With Ash Air, you can count on reliability and high performance for even the most demanding applications. We focus our efforts
on the following:
Increasing uptime
Reducing unexpected repairs
Reducing energy consumption and meeting our sustainability goals
A liquid ring vacuum pump is a powerful and steadfast piece of equipment that, if well maintained, can provide years of dependable
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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