Centralization or Decentralization of the Compressor System

A system with several decentralized compressors can also be the preferred choice for certain applications. It involves a smaller, simpler compressed air distribution system. A disadvantage of decentralized compressors lies in the difficulty of inter-regulating the compressed air supply and in maintaining a reserve capacity. Modern compressors with fully-integrated compressed air conditioning equipment (dryers, filters etc.) and with high-performance silencing measures can be installed at the worksite, thus reducing compressed air distribution costs and eliminating the need for a separate building or an extension to the separate compressor room. Decentralized compressors can be utilized to maintain the pressure in a system with a large pressure drop if the intermediate processes temporarily draw too much air. An alternative with extremely short peaks of air consumption is to solve the problem by positioning buffers (air receiver) in strategic locations. A unit or building normally supplied from a compressed air plant and which is the sole consumer of compressed air during specific periods can be sectioned off and supplied with its own decentralized compressor. The advantage of this layout is that it avoids "feeding" any leakage in the remaining part of the system and that the localized compressor may be adapted to the smaller requirement.

Read more on the different aspects of dimensioning compressor installations below.