November 8, 2024
Did you know that the ideal operating temperature for an air compressed is typically between 5°C and 30°C or 40°F and 90°F ? This means that the cold temperatures of winter can have a significant impact on your compressed air system, especially if the ambient temperatures in your compressor room fall below this range.
How will the cold temperatures affect your compressed air system?
Low winter temperatures can cause both short- and long-term damage to your air compressor. A not uncommon example is a frozen condensate which can clog/rupture critical components within the larger compressed air generation system. Other components such as control lines, drain valves, compressed air filters and heat exchangers are also at risk of freezing and cracking.
Other potential risk include:
- The compressor refuses to start: Is your air compressor not working in cold temperatures? This is probably because the compressor is equipped with a switch that prevents starting when the ambient temperature is too low.
- The compressor oil becomes thicker: The colder the temperatures, the thicker the oil! The thicker the compressor oil, the lower the lubricity, which in turn means that more energy is required to run the air compressor.
- The refrigeration dryer forms ice in the compressed air system: When the ambient temperature is low, there is a risk that the condensed water freezes in the system and forms an ice jam that prevents the air from being transported further in the system.
- Reduced drying capacity in compressed air dryers: Wet incomming air can freeze in the compressed air dryer pipes and cause the tower switching valves to malfunction. The exhaust silencers of your compressed air generation system can also freeze, which would lead to a reduction in the purge air flow.
- Corrosion of components: Because compressed air dryers are less efficient at colder temperatures, there is a greater likelihood of increased condensate forming throughout the compressed air production system. As time goes by and moisture levels continue to rise, the likelihood of internal components rusting and corroding increases.
Tips on how to prepare your compressed air system for cold weather
- Warm up your compressor room: Keep the compressor room temperature above the minimum operating temperature. A small local heater can provide additional heat to prevent the temperature from falling below 5 °C (40°F).
- Keep air compressor lines from freezing: If temperatures in your area are expected to drop below freezing, heat tape or other insulation can be applied to exposed pipes of your compressed air system. It prevents damage caused by ice jams.
- Drain condensate: Condensate is a common occurrence in compressors. It builds up in the system and collects in low places, including air reservoirs. In winter, unaddressed condensate can freeze and burst pipes. It is therefore important that the system includes proper drainers, preferably automatic ones that release water when required. If automatic drain valves are missing, it may be a good idea to inspect the system a few times a week and drain any water that remains.
- Check the oil: In the winter the air compressor oil should be monitored and regulated. Otherwise, the temperature of the oil may drop to a level that prevents it from lubricating or sealing the machinery.
- Ensure required pressure dew point: Compressed air systems that work just fine in the hot summer months may prove to be substandard in the winter. For example, It could be that the air is sent from one point to another via lines that run outdoors. In that case, it can be enough to dry the air a little extra at certain points, but sometimes it may be that a completely different type of drying is required to maintain the quality of the air when the ambient temperature drops.
- Regular maintenance: The best way to prepare your air compressor for cold weather is regular maintancance by an expert. Well-maintained plants are often the most energy efficient and suffer from less downtime than plants that don’t make maintenance a top priority.
