Common Sense Compressed Air
Piping Guide

 
This guide book is a comprehensive source of details for identifying, selecting and implementing an effective and efficient compressed air piping system.

You will find case studies that explain how to avoid and how to fix the common mistakes that create higher annual energy costs and reduce the effectiveness of the compressed air system.  The illustrations, tables and charts make it easy for anyone to build, modify and improve a compressed air piping system.


 Table of Contents

Section I.  Introduction
A general review of the potential selections that must be made and some conflicting suggestions and guidelines available to the layman. 

Guidelines to consider the effect of material/size and material/design of the compressed air piping on the total cost of ownership.


Section II.  Sizing and Configuring the Compressed Air Piping System
General Configuration

  • Central Air System
  • Departmental Air System
  • Pressure Based Selection and Design

Basic Material used in Compressed Air Piping Systems

  • Thermoplastic (non metal) Pipe
  • Black Iron/Steel
  • Stainless Steel
  • Copper
  • Aluminum
Material Selection by Size
  • Inlet Piping
  • Discharge Piping
  • Interconnecting Piping
  • Main Line Distribution (headers)
  • Distribution from the Header to the Process
Pipe Coatings, various types

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Section III.  Guidelines and Configuration of the Compressed Air Piping
General Supports

  • Hanger Guide
  • Thermal Growth
Other Piping
  • Aftercooler (when not part of compressor or dryer package)
  • Air Receiver
     

Section IV.  Interconnecting Compressed Air Piping
Design and configuration using pipeline compressed air velocity and friction loss in the pipe to control pressure loss and instability.

Interconnecting Pipe, main concerns and basic design requirements
Pipeline Velocity Consideration

  • Suggested Guidelines
  • Effects of High Pipeline Velocity
    • 2-Step Controller Compressor
    • Total Pressure Loss
    • Modulated Control Rotary Screw
    • Centrifugal
Chart, cross sectional area in square feet of popular pipe and tubing
Table guidelines for interconnecting piping to hold 20fps velocity
Pressure losses from friction
  • Tables
    • Standard pipe fitting
    • Friction pressure loss per 100ft, from 10psig to 350psig, ½” pipe to 24” pipe, 10cfm to 200,000cfm
    • Pressure loss in air hole (50ft), 60psig to 300psig, 60cfm to 17,000cfm, ¾” to 4” (25ft)
    • Chart, calculate pressure loss in piping due to friction, 5psig to 400psig and 100cfm to 10,000cfm

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Section V.  Compressed Air Distribution System
Typical Compressed Air System

  • General Guidelines Distribution Piping
    • Drop Legs
    • Drip Legs
  • Main header, sub-header distribution
  • Header to the process
 

Section VI.  Strategies for Effective Compressed Air Piping Systems for Expansions and Modifications
Use of some guidelines to expand or modify system
Oversize main headers, future expansion is possible
Hot tapping
Sub system
Collection header

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About the Author

This book is published by the author, Hank Van Ormer, who also wrote the majority of the articles.  Mr. Van Ormer has been associated with the Compressed Air and Gas Business and its allied industries for almost 40 years.   
 

While attending Gettysburg College he worked summers in the research and development department of a rotary and reciprocating compressor manufacturer.  After graduation in 1959, he began full time work with them and handled various areas of Industrial and Construction Equipment product development, marketing and sales.  Over the years, he has worked with several leading manufacturers in similar areas with particular emphasis on rotary and centrifugal compressors. 
 

In 1986, Mr. Van Ormer started his own independent consultant company, Air Power USA, Inc. which specializes in Air Compressors, Compressed Air Equipment and Compressed Air Systems for the industrial and construction markets.  Mr. Van Ormer has developed several accredited training courses for continuing education and complete curriculum or technical colleges.  Air Power USA offers complete plant surveys and problem solving analysis of compressed air systems including energy management studies. 
 

The last several years, Mr. Van Ormer has been very active in the Department of Energy “Compressed Air Challenge Program”.  As a charter member of the Compressed Air Efficiency council, he worked with the basic program development and was a member of the Training Committee.  In December of 1998, Mr. Van Ormer was selected as one of “Twelve Core Trainers” from applicants all over the United States.

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How to Order

“Common Sense Compressed Air Piping Guide” gives you the facts and tools to build, expand and modify your compressed air piping system.

This 80 page book is a comprehensive air piping guideline with diagrams, charts and tables that illustrate the topics.  It is a spiral bound, soft cover book with 8-1/2” x 11” size pages.

The printed, and bound version is available for $69.00 US each with Free Shipping on all orders in the United States and Canada.  If you are outside the United States and Canada, the book is $125.00 US each to cover shipping and handling.

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