Losing your air? Time for Plan B
September 1st 2005

IP&E reports on a system that will give you an insight into your compressed air system’s health

Since the introduction of the Climate Change Levy the cost of electricity to industry has increased and this trend isn’t about to stop. In order to assist companies to address these issues Plan B Marketing (formerly available from PVL) has introduced the Clima Air, an innovative yet straightforward way to measure the flow rate of compressed air that is being generated by your system.

Using proven engineering techniques it allows the measurement and therefore the management of a compressed air system.

The reasoning for the introduction of the Clima Air is because, as Steve Moorey of Plan B says "No one has needed to know what goes down a compressed air pipe...

until now." Steve’s background is engineering and therefore the relative simplicity of the Clima Air system appealed to his practical nature. "The system doesn’t measure energy" he says "it is what is coming out of the pipe that matters - this is the mechanical way."

The Clima Air system is essentially a ‘hot tap’ kit for compressed air pipework. The system, which comes in a fitted case, comprises a probe that is inserted into the pipe through a previously installed ball valve coupled with a hand held display instrument. The end of the Clima Air (that is inserted into the compressed air pipework) has a probe with a precision laser cut turbine mounted on sapphire bearings within it that ensures accurate measurement of air velocity. The probe also incorporates a PT100 temperature sensor and an absolute pressure transducer.

The Clima Air is simple to use and comes with a clearly written manual that explains how to get started. However, users experiencing difficulties can also get readily available support. In use, once the probe has been inserted the recommended two fifths of the way into the pipe the display instrument prompts the user to enter the pipe diameter. The instrument then measures and displays air velocity, temperature and pressure, and then calculates and displays, the air flow rate in m3/h. The Clima Air can be used on pipework of between 1 and 6 inch diameter and on systems with air pressure of up to 7bar. This system, as used by such high profile customers as Toyota in Skelmersdale is available to purchase at £2860.

Measurement and management

The display unit provides data logging capabilities and has inputs for extra probes and outputs for a printer and to a PC. Software is also available, to enable logged measurements to be easily transferred to any host trend analysis package. As well as the hand held instrument, a multi-input desktop instrument is also available offering additional data logging capabilities, and this can be coupled with a comprehensive range of fixed in place flow probes to provide continuous monitoring in critical applications. The capacity to produce graphs and charts will easily display trending data that can help end users identify leaks and wastage and will allow distributors to give valuable extra services to their customers.

A typical user of the system would be a medium to large end user - as is demonstrated by the previously mentioned Toyota plant. These types of facilities typically would have an energy manager and the Clima Air is a simple way for that manager to get a tight grip on the compressed air system at his/her facility.

Of course, with the huge amount of electricity used in the generation of compressed air such a management initiative could have a very fast payback.

The second way to potentially use the Clima Air is via the compressed air distributor. Check with your distributor as they may be able to offer a revealing insight into the pattern of air use at your facility.

The need to measure and manage has become more important with regards to energy and this is reflected not only with the introduction of the Clima Air but also with the introduction of other associated products alongside that instrument. Also available are highly effective ultrasonic leak detectors that come with a range of sophistication, depending on what the application requires. Alongside the Clima Air are a range of measurement systems (all using the same instrument) such as the Clima Oil - a flowmeter with datalogger for hydraulics and the Clima Gas that can monitor, measure and log gas flow across a large range of gases (air, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Hydrogen etc. etc.). This range will soon be expanded and is set to include such applications as the measurement of gases generated from landfill sites and refrigerant measurement in air conditioning systems.

The potential benefits of the Clima Air to the compressed air user are apparent. The system provides physical evidence of exactly how a compressed air system is operating without complex calculations or market prices being a factor. This evidence leaves the user well placed to help combat the brickbats that will inevitably come as the political pressure on industry increases and the cost of energy spirals.

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