How To Keep Your Compressor Room Cool And Operating Effeciently
There are several factors which will determine how your compressor will run in the hot summer weather. The amount of air provided to cool the compressor is one of the most important.
Air cooled compressors are all cooled by an internal fan pushing or pulling air across a radiator style cooler. The compressor specifications always state a flow (in CFM) and an allowable static pressure (in inches of water column). An example would be 8000 CFM @ 0.25” H2O.
To maintain optimum cooling, the compressor must be in a location where this air flow can occur. If there is ductwork connected to the machine, it must be sized so that the pressure drop in the ductwork (inlet and outlet) is under the maximum allowable pressure. If the ductwork is undersized, a booster fan may need to be added.
If the compressor is in an open room, the room must be large enough to dissipate the heat removed from the compressor. A compressor rejects approximately 2500 BTU/hr per horsepower. A 100 HP compressor will exhaust 250,000 BTU/hr into a room.
If the room is not large enough to dissipate the heat, an exhaust fan (and possibly an inlet louver) will need to be added. One common mistake is for the exhaust fan to be sized at the same size as the compressor fan. Most compressors raise the air passing through the cooler 30 degrees F.
If the exhaust fan only removes that same amount of air, over time the compressor room temperature will rise 30F. Normally this will be unacceptable. If the exhaust fan is sized 2 to 3 times the compressor fan, then the temperature rise in the compressor room will only be 10-15F, which is much better for the compressor and other equipment in the room.
Other factors to consider: The exhaust fan should be high in the room and the inlet louvers should be low. This helps with the natural flow of heat rising. And most compressors discharge out the top. Inlet and exhaust opening should also be on different walls if possible.
There are many things to consider when locating your air compressor. Giving it the proper ventilation will prevent unnecessary shutdowns and prolong the life of your compressor.
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