Air leaks ‘costing’ UK industry
16 Jun 2015
Compressed air leaks are costing UK industry thousands of pounds every year, according to fluid power specialist Flexion.
“UK industry is literally leaking money with its failure to accurately detect and deal with compressed air leakages,” said Mark Stone, product manager at Flexion.
“Big leaks, such as a drain cap on a filter regulator can cost up to £5,000 every year. Even small leaks on equipment, emanating from a gas control panel, main air drop or push fit connection can cost hundreds of pounds in compressed air every year.”
According to Stone, the cost of repairing a loose connection on an isolation valve could be as low as £25, but the leak is all-too-often not being detected or rectified.
He said that the average industrial plant leaked 30% of the total amount of compressed air produced with some sites losing as much as 60% of the total air generated.
Leakage has an enormous impact on both energy efficiency and the environment
Flexion product manager Mark Stone
“The problem is that this produces an even greater demand for compressed air to keep up with the losses,” he said.
“Compressed air is produced by air generators which run on electricity, which means leakage has an enormous impact on both energy efficiency and the environment. The problem is that it is regarded as a low or no cost item, particularly by machine or plant operators who don’t have to pick up the bill themselves.”
To address the issue, Flexion said it had introduced its Compressed Air Savings Programme, which includes an application audit, full report, and first fix capability for customers.
“A survey of a medium-sized plant by an experienced team can be achieved in around three hours with the use of an ultrasonic detector that is specifically designed for the task,” said Stone.
