Compressor Air Receivers: How they accommodate peak demand & performance

Compressed air receivers are also called compressed air tanks and make for an important part of any system that is used for providing compressed air for operating tools and equipment. It acts as temporary storage, that ensures that the required compressed air is always available and is of great help when demand for compressed air peaks. This allows the plant and equipment to be run efficiently at optimum levels.

In theory, any compressed air system can run without a receiver and provide compressed air directly to the tools or equipment using it. This can, however, result in an increase in loading and unloading cycles that can lead to the compressor having to work harder. Demand for compressed air fluctuates constantly as the equipment using it get switched on and off, and if you have a compressed air receiver, it acts as a buffer that allows your compressed air tools to have the constant pressure from the compressed air in the tank, without fluctuations in pressure. When the pressure drops in this tank, the compressor switches on automatically and restores the air and required pressure.

Many compressors will have the air tanks directly mounted on top of the air receiver and this allows for saving of space and is a model preferred for the smaller range of compressors, especially those that are mobile. In the case of large compressors, tanks maybe become too heavy and need to be placed on firm foundations, often outside the working area, as this also makes the installation safer.

The compressor output pressure and the pressure required at the point of use need to be considered while deciding the size of the receiver. The stored air in a receiver must be able to provide the user with the needed pressure for a sufficient duration. The use of an air receiver also reduces energy consumption as compressors will work for a long time just to balance the required pressure in the tank, and not as subject to fluctuations in demand imposed by the user tools. This requires the tank to be of adequate size so that more air can be supplied by it instead of starting the compressor. Energy requirements for starting loads are high, and if the compressor works for longer periods to compensate the air supplied by the receiver this could lead to lower energy consumption.

The compression of air can lead to the condensation of air and lead to water collecting in the receiver. Wet compressed air can lead to equipment getting damaged and even affect the quality of any product that uses compressed air in its manufacture. Air receivers require to be drained at least since a day, and more often if the compressor has a heavy load that requires its constant operation. Float drains or timers can ensure this.

It is customary for compressed air receivers to have a higher rating than what the compressor delivers, as this then allows the air in the tank receiver to deliver the air to the system for sufficient duration to cater to any fluctuations in demand.