When choosing a compressor, we recommend choosing one with more than you require.

The most important factors are the volume of air that you will be using, the pressure needed for your process and how the air will be used.

You can contact one of our CAAA Members that can help you determine the correct size with the right control system and ancillaries to suit your needs using a calculated value for future requirements or by performing an air audit for current requirements.

Choosing the right compressor is critical for many reasons. The compressor must be able to do the job effectively and economically. If the compressor is too large it can filter to high power bills and if stop small, it won’t keep up or could destroy the job completely.

There are many types of compressors and this can range from rotary screw, 2-Stage rotary screw, lubricated scroll, reciprocating or rotary vane compressors. The best way to approach this is to engage an expert to undertake a thorough review and to offer the most appropriate solution.

Some other factors that you need to consider are:

• How the air is used across all shifts
• Does it need to cope with a fixed or widely varying demand? Demand could be continuous or intermittent leading into what type of compressor is best for the application.
• Determining what control systems is best to minimise power costs, minimum system pressure settings, how much storage is required and what quality of air is needed

We recommend contacting one of our CAAA Members to help you select the correct one.

You can select from a number of options using the guide below:

• Is the compressor is still running? We recommend you consider keeping it as a backup for use when servicing etc.
• It may be able to run some or all of your production and therefore might be good insurance. The alternative is to trade it in as it may still have some commercial value to another company. However, if the unit is no longer running Kaishan Australia would be happy to take it and dispose of it on your behalf in an environmentally responsible manner. This typically means draining all fluids, removing all contaminated filters and materials and then sending the unit to the metal recyclers. We then dispose of fluids and filters etc through our registered trade waste procedures

With all equipment if you use it incorrectly it can seriously injure a person, or in some cases can kill.

Compressed air blown into the skin can result in an embolism. Inhaled compressed air can rupture your lungs or oesophagus. Compressed air blown into the ear can rupture eardrums and cause brain damage.

Do not direct compressed air at the skin or body orifices.

We always recommend following the instructions provided the manufacturer.

Air under pressure can penetrate the skin, causing haemorrhaging and pain. If compressed air gets into the body through cuts in the skin, an air bubble (embolism) could form in the bloodstream, and that could kill a worker if the bubble gets to the heart or lungs.

Always wear gloves when using compressed air to clean components etc.

We always recommend following the instructions provided the manufacturer.

If you have the necessary skills, you are more than happy to provide guidance for the installation.

The key to a successful installation is the location of the equipment – a clean, dry, well-ventilated environment with adequate access for maintenance. The interconnecting pipework needs to be of a material and size suitable for the flow rate and pressure and needs to be installed in such a way that access is not impeded, water can drain and sufficient isolation is provided allow for safe servicing.

Facilities need to be provided for collection of condensate from the compressor, air receiver, filters and dryer so that it can be disposed of responsibly through trade waste. The alternative is that we can organise installation through one of our experienced installers. You then know that the job will be done right with zero leaks and minimised pressure loss.

Like your car, air compressors need to be regularly serviced.

Typically, services are divided into either minor or major services. These are typically carried out based on hours of operation.

Servicing typically requires the changing of filters, lubricants, drive belts (if fitted), and various other checks and adjustments. A major service also requires that the air/oil separator filter be replaced. These days the high-quality synthetic lubricants used mean that lubricants get changed at intervals up to 10000 hours (subject to environmental conditions).

Like a car, if the services are carried out regularly, you can look forward to a long and reasonably trouble-free life.

Please contact your service personnel from each manufacturer. You can either contact them directly via the phone and they will recommend whether technicians are required to access the item.