THE IMPACT OF HUMID AIR ON AIR COMPRESSOR AND COUNTERMEASURES

Effects of humid air on air compressors:

Equipment rust: The moisture in the humid air is easy to contact with metal parts (such as cylinders and pipes), accelerating rust and reducing the life of the equipment.

Decreased compression efficiency: After the moisture in the air is compressed, it will form liquid water, occupy the compression space, resulting in a decrease in the actual compression efficiency of the air compressor, increased energy consumption, and reduced exhaust volume.

Deterioration of lubricating oil: When water is mixed into the lubricating oil, it will emulsify, reduce viscosity, lose lubrication effect, and shorten the oil change cycle; it will also increase the bearing temperature, aggravate component wear, and even cause equipment failure.

Gas line blockage: If the compressed water vapor is not handled in time, condensed water may form in the gas line, blocking valves, filters and other components, affecting the normal operation of the system; excessive water content in instrument air will also affect precision instruments.

Countermeasures for humid air:

1. Strengthen drainage management:

Check the automatic drain valve every day and drain condensate regularly to avoid water accumulation affecting the system.

Increase the frequency of manual drainage (for example, every hour).

2. Upgraded drying system:

Deploy dual drying (refrigerant + desiccant dryer), configure the dryer at the rear end of the air compressor to remove moisture from the compressed air and ensure that the output air is dry.

Adjust the dryer parameters according to humidity (such as regeneration cycle).

3. Moisture protection of equipment:

Prevent corrosion of the metal parts of the air compressor (such as applying anti-rust paint), and keep the equipment operating environment ventilated and dry to reduce contact with humid air.

Test the motor insulation resistance once a week during the rainy season.

4. Environmental control:

Ensure that the compressor room is well ventilated and install a dehumidifier to control humidity (below 60%).

Protect the equipment from direct rain (for example, install a canopy).

5. Lubricant management:

Use synthetic lubricants with strong anti-emulsification properties.

Shorten the lubricant replacement interval to prevent moisture from causing oil deterioration.

6. Install an air-water separator:

Install an air-water separator in the compressed air pipeline to further separate the liquid water in the compressed air and reduce the burden on subsequent drying equipment.

7. Preventive maintenance:

Before the rainy season, clean the cooler and fan.

Check whether the seals (such as O-rings) are aged to prevent moisture intrusion.

Proactive maintenance and humidity control can minimize the impact of rainy season on compressors, ensuring operational stability and service life. For critical industries (e.g. electronics, healthcare), online dew point monitoring systems can be deployed to issue real-time alarms.

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