April 15, 2021
Pressure drop occurs every time a filter is put in the line, a dryer is installed, or pipework is run. Having pressure drop across these items means your compressor needs to run at a higher pressure to achieve the required down-stream pressure. You may not realise that a 1 bar increase in compressor pressure equates to a 6% increase in energy consumption. This is money that doesn't need to be wasted. To avoid energy loss from pressure drop, the following points should be considered when designing or replacing a compressed air system: Filters: Every filter installed in the line increases pressure drop. Keep filters to a minimum - but make sure they are the right size and grade. Refrigeration dryers: Refrigeration dryers, especially the cheaper ones, can have quite a high pressure drop - check the value before making the decision. Timing: The most economical time to get your pipework the right size is when it's being installed. It will normally cost about the same amount of labour to go a size larger.