Air Receivers Information & Maintenance Tips

Air receivers, also known as compressed air receivers, are basically vessels which are made for compressed-air installations that are used to compress air and permitting equalizing pressure in the system.

Air receivers are essential inputs in all air systems, thus understanding their utility and other characteristics could prove helpful. Here are a few purposes to have an air receiver:

• Air receivers store compressed air.

• Accumulates and captures the moisture in the air and let the contamination settle down before it is released into the piping.

Stabilizes pressure: Air receivers prevents short-cycle loading and unloading of compressors. A receiver stores and delivers demands of compressors, which is sufficient on a short-term period. A pressure change of 1 atmosphere, which is less than 15 psi, holds a free air volume equivalent to that of the receiver.

Compressor controlling: Large air receivers have ample volume to deduct and slow down pressure changes, in return to irregular use of compressed air. Air receivers smoothly control output without recurrent ranging through their full control span.

Separation: An air receiver, by reducing the flow in velocity, encourages finely divided particles of liquid lubricant or condensate to drop out of the air stream. Separated liquids drain from the receiver rather than traveling with the compressed air or gas to yield adverse downstream effects.

The correct selection of receiver tanks is based not only on the capacity or size of the compressor but also on the shop or house load cycle.

So, after purchasing air receivers, what are the safety and maintenance requirements?

Firstly, the allowable working pressures of air receivers should never be exceeded its maximum level, except when it is being tested. Tanks which are hydro-statically tested and approved must be used as air receivers.

1. Air receivers should be ready with inspection openings.
2. Tanks of 36+ inches in diameter must have a manhole.
3. No air receiver should be altered or inspected by unauthorized persons.
4. Air receivers should have a drain cock at the bottom
5. If your air receiver doesn’t have an automatic drain system, make sure you drain it frequently to avoid accumulation of liquid inside.

Hoping these tips help you in your experience with choosing, installing and maintaining air receivers.