When the temperatures dip, your compressed air system can pay the price. When you properly winterize your compressed air system, you preserve its integrity and keep it operating at manufacturer-guaranteed standards.
Follow these winterization tips, and you can keep frozen condensate from interfering with how your system functions. Frozen control lines, cracking heat exchangers, can slow your business down. Make sure that you are taking action to prevent these before they occur.
5 Ways to Winterize Your Compressed Air System
Clean Separators, Drains, and Valves
Separators, drains, and valves are prime places for moisture build up. When this moisture pools, it can result in all kinds of damage to your equipment. Take advantage of operational downtime to clean these areas of your air compressor out, and make sure that there’s no standing moisture.
Check the Condition of Compressor Lubricants
The cold weather can cause lubricants to thicken and become less effective. Thickened lubricant requires the use of more power to rotate the pump, which makes the machine less effective and strains the motor. The lubricant also doesn’t flow well in this condition, which starves the rest of the machine of lubricant and results in premature wear and tear.
Adjust Louvers
You can minimize the cold air through the compressor inlet so that your machine can maintain operating temperatures by adjusting the louvers. This practice ensures that lubrication will be more evenly spread.
You can use the heat generated by the compressor to heat the compressor room or an adjacent room. Thermostatically controlled louvers make this process easier, otherwise they’ll need to be manually adjusted.
Weather-Proofing Your Machine
You can winterize your compressor to make sure it’s ready for cold Midwest temperatures. This means providing insulation or heat source for exposed parts. It may help to install new dryers that are capable of handling your facility conditions, to help prevent freezing condensate.
Warmer Indoor Temps
It’s always best to keep your machine in a heated and insulated compressor room. Ambient indoor temperature plays a big part in the condition of your air compressor through the long winter months. Room temperature should be no colder than 40 degrees – even in the winter.
Cabinet or ambient heaters can help. Make sure that it doesn’t go below the lowest allowable operating temperature recommended by the manufacturer.
For more ways to winterize your compressed air system for optimal performance, contact us today.
