Southern Cross

Compressed Air Audit

With approximately 10-15% of the world's electricity used to generate compressed air, why then, is it not used efficiently? Compressed air as an energy source has an efficiency of only around 10%. Approximately 90% of electricity used to compress air is turned into waste heat. Furthermore, around half of compressed air that is produced is then wasted through inefficient usage.

This results in the average compressed air system running at only around 50%efficiency and that creates great opportunity to implement change which will cut energy costs and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

FACT: A 75 kW air compressor can cost in excess of $80,000 per year in electricity charges and produce 590,000 kg¹ of carbon dioxide. An efficiency gain of even a few percent can be significant.

There are a number of issues that contribute to compressed air system inefficiencies including:

• Poor maintenance
• Air leaks
• Pressure drop
• Inappropriate usage
• Long pipe runs
• Inadequate ventilation
• Leaving compressor running when air is not required
• Incorrect system pressure settings

Southern Cross Compressors can perform an air audit on your compressed air system and identify areas of inefficiency which can save you thousands of dollars per year in energy costs. A compressed air audit will use data logging and ultrasonic leak detection equipment to look at the supply and demand aspects of your compressed air system that offer the greatest opportunity for improvement:

Supply Side

• Compressor type - power, pressure, sequencing and control
• Environment - temperatures, ventilation, service access
• Servicing & maintenance
• Air quality - dryers, filters, receivers
• Heat recovery

Demand Side

• Process applications
• Piping layout & sizing
• Leak detection
• Pressure drop
• Load profile
• Inappropriate usage

Southern Cross Compressors will use this data to create a system profile of your compressed air usage. This system profile gives us the information we need to select the right equipment for your application and to identify potential energy savings. The payback period for upgrading to energy efficient compressed air equipment can be very short. Over a 10 year lifespan of system improvements the benefits are enormous both to your bottom line and the environment.

Why wouldn't you run your compressed air system efficiently?

Talk to a Southern Cross Compressors expert today about doing an air audit on your compressed air system:

Enquire Now

or call:

1300 098 901

1Based on 0.9kg CO2/kWhr, sourced from dept. of climate change