Expert Corner.

Home of Ash Air's compressed air blogs and advice.

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Proportioning the Compressed Air Dryer
  

Proportioning the Compressed Air Dryer

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Maintenance budget: 8 factors to consider
  

Maintenance budget: 8 factors to consider

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How to Clean Your Coils?
  

How to Clean Your Coils?

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Expert Corner.

Home of Ash Air's compressed air blogs and advice.

Get in touch / recommend a blog Get in touch / recommend a blog

Choosing the right assist gas in laser cutting: nitrogen or oxygen
  

Choosing the right assist gas in laser cutting: nitrogen or oxygen

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Controlling your nitrogen purity made easy
  

Controlling your nitrogen purity made easy

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How is Nitrogen Used in the Coffee Industry?
  

How is Nitrogen Used in the Coffee Industry?

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Expert Corner.

Home of Ash Air's compressed air blogs and advice.

Get in touch / recommend a blog Get in touch / recommend a blog

What is the difference between Wet vs. Dry Vacuum Pumps?
  

What is the difference between Wet vs. Dry Vacuum Pumps?

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Choosing the Right Vacuum Pump for You
  

Choosing the Right Vacuum Pump for You

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Benefits of Vacuum Pump Overhaul
  

Benefits of Vacuum Pump Overhaul

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The keys to generating food grade nitrogen

A nitrogen generator, combined with an air compressor and the necessary air treatment products, can provide you with a steady supply of food grade nitrogen.

What is a piping quick-drop for?

AIRnet offers moisture-eliminating drop fittings called Quick Drops! Quick Drops make “drop-tees” obsolete, removing the need for extra parts and pipe, while saving time and money.

What Does Commissioning your Air Compressor Mean?

Proper compressor installation and commissioning helps ensure trouble-free startup and long-term reliability. Thorough inspection and critical review during each phase of the installation process eliminates “built-in” deficiencies or problems which c...

How to overcome 3 common challenges associated with working with stainless steel

Stainless steel has long been crucial for many applications where strength, durability, and resistance to corrosion are essential. That is why it is often chosen for process equipment used in harsh environments such as chemical and petrochemical plants, refineries, and power stations.

How to put a price on productivity?

Price is an important consideration when choosing a tool for metalworking applications, but it alone should not be the deciding factor. Other things also contribute to the total cost of ownership, performance, and, ultimately, the overall productivit...

PSI? CFM? Horsepower? Choosing the Right Compressor

Horsepower? PSI? CFM? There is a lot to consider when purchasing a new air compressor. It is important to understand what you actually need and how to find out.

Did you say "Christmas Dinner"? What's Compressed Air, Gas, and Vacuum got to do with it?

Yay! It's Christmas! But before the turkey gets carved and a heaping spoonful of Christmas pudding gets dropped on your plate, you might get asked what you’re thankful for. Well, maybe this year you could say you’re thankful for the compressed air, gas and vacuum solutions that made everything on the table possible. Let’s look at how!

The many benefits of on site gas generation

Are you faced with the decision of whether to switch from purchasing bottled nitrogen or oxygen to on site gas generation? In that case, the decision is easy. You should! Lower costs, the right purity, less transportation emissions, improved safety, no logistics headaches. In all of these areas, on site gas generation is the superior solution. And making the switch is easy. All you need is a gas generator and a supply of compressed air.

Five Tips to Increase Compressor Installation Efficiency

Did you know that one of the largest costs for industrial manufacturers is compressed air? That’s right – anywhere from 12% to 40% of a facility’s total energy costs come from its compressed air installation. This means that finding innovative ways (no matter how small) to increase compressed air efficiency can amount to big savings over the long run! Items like leak elimination, air audits, reduced pressure bands, and reducing unloaded running hours are some of the most popular ways to decrease energy usage – but there are many other actions that you can take. Read on to discover additional ways to reduce your costs and make sure your compressor system is running as efficiently as possible!

How to Correctly Size Your Compressed Air Piping System

A properly sized and designed piping system is a necessary component of any distribution compressed air system. Without this key component in place, the delivery of air from the compressor to the specific points of use will be inefficient and costly, both in the short term as well as in the long term. Let’s look more closely at how to size your compressed air piping system to ensure minimal pressure loss while maintaining maximum efficiency.

Testing for Microorganisms in Compressed Air

Potential for growth of micro-organisms in a compressed air system is tied to the moisture level (dew point) of the compressed air. In simple terms, if there is moisture in your compressed air, microorganisms such as mold and bacteria have the environment they need to grow and thrive. While it’s true that as air is compressed, much of the moisture present in the intake air will condense, enough moisture remains to allow micro-organisms to proliferate.

The Key Benefits of Monitoring Your Compressor System

Your compressor installation is a workhorse that requires regular service and maintenance to help it achieve maximum efficiency and longevity. This is where compressor monitoring and data gathering technologies come in, as these provide meaningful information on your system that can be visualized, tracked over extended time periods, and used to make insightful decisions regarding compressor performance. 

Aluminum versus cast iron – Which piston compressor material is best?

Some piston compressors use cast iron and others aluminum. But which is better? Here is a look at their differences and respective benefits.

Why a Variable Speed Compressor?

A variable speed compressor is not for every application. VSD rotary screw compressors need to be ran in a location that is in need of 24/7 compressed air and has a changing demand on the amount of air needed. If your compressed air needs are constan...

Why Do I Need a Mist Eliminator?

Compressed air purification equipment must have a very low pressure drop, long service life and be strong enough to withstand the most strenuous operating conditions. Protection from oil slugs or compressor air/oil separator failure is essential.

What do I need to know about ICONS?

Intelligent Connectivity System (ICONS) is the eyes into your compressed air system. Ditch the logbooks, the regular visits to the compressor room and dealing with surprises with your compressor. • Most maintenance organizations operate between 10% to 40% efficiency • Most spend more than 50% of time on emergency work • Reactive maintenance costs 3-5 times more than preventive maintenance.

How Much Will Compressed Air Cost You?

Compressed air is used in many different industries. From refrigerator manufacturers to toy makers, companies around the world depend on compressed air to produce products. It's so important that many consider it a utility as significant as electricity, water or natural gas.

Why do you need to filter compressed air?

Compressed air is always contaminated. Contaminants include, • Liquid oil - oil aerosols - oil vapor, Dirt - microorganisms - pipescale, Trace gases: carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxide. Learn more about why you need to filter compressed air... 

What is air compressor electric motor efficiency?

As part of a concerted effort worldwide to reduce energy consumption, CO2 emissions and the impact of industrial operations on the environment, regulatory authorities in many countries have introduced legislation to encourage the manufacture and use ...

Why is air treatment necessary?

Air is always contaminated with solid particles such as dust, sand, soot, salt crystals and water as it leaves the compressor. An effective compressed air treatment system lowers the dew point of the air and takes out the elements that may harm equipment downstream of the compressor and dryer

Why Do I Have Water in my Compressor Lines in the Winter When I Have a Dryer?


The ambient temperature in an air compressor’s environment can greatly affect your air compressor’s performance. All air compressors will generate some amount of water, but depending on inlet air conditions some can produce large amounts of water.

What to do with your old compressor?

Just purchased a new compressor? Are you asking yourself, “Now what am I going to do with this old air compressor?”

Which Parts are Checked and Replaced During Routine Maintenance on my Air Compressor?

Routine maintenance on your screw compressor or piston compressor is vital to ensuring your unit is performing to its full potential. There are simple checks and inspections you can do daily, weekly and monthly to keep your compressor running efficiently and to avoid downtime.

The Cost of Compressed Air: What are the Lifetime Costs of a Compressor?

Whether you use your air compressor for woodcarving, bottling or manufacturing consumables, compressed air plays a critical role in your business. It is undeniable that compressed air is a valuable source to your applications.

How much air pressure do I need for my application

There are many things to consider during the selection process of an air compressor for your business. Most important, determining the proper size of the compressor to match your operational needs.

What Causes the Dewpoint to Spike on your Air Compressor?

Dewpoint spikes immediately after desiccant switchover (line C) indicate that the desiccant was not sufficiently cooled before being brought on-line. Hot desiccant will not adsorb moisture well until it cools down, after which the dewpoint should dro...

Why is there Oil in my Screw Compressor Air Tank?

Don’t be alarmed if you find oil in your air compressor tank. Actually, all rotary screw compressors pass trace amounts of oil in the compressed air. The question is how much is the normal amount of oil in my compressor tank?

I Have a Dryer, But I still Have Water in my Compressor during Winter. Why?

The ambient temperature in an air compressor’s environment can greatly affect your air compressors performance. All air compressors will generate some amount of water, but depending on inlet air conditions some can produce large amounts of water.

Can I Perform the Maintenance on my Air Compressor Myself?

Once you’ve invested in an air compressor  your business or home you may ask yourself, “What happens if my compressor needs service? Needs a filter change? Oil change?"

Why is my air compressor filter full every week?

As you know, compressed air filters protect your machine from dirt, dust, oil and water. These contaminants are extremely common in the areas you would find a compressed air system and will wear down your machine if not properly filtered out.

How do I Protect my Air Compressor From Leaks?

Air compressor leaks can be a substantial source of wasted energy in any system, sometimes wasting 20-30% of a compressor's production. Worst of all, a poorly maintained compressor can have a leak rate expected to equal 20% of total compressed air...

What Do I Need to Know When Buying an Air Compressor?

Choosing the right compressor is essential to your long-term satisfaction and maybe, to the profitability of your business. Many times compressors are based on a single factor alone, such as horsepower or tank size, which is only part of the story.

When should I buy an oil-free compressor?

In oil injected screw compressors, there is a thin layer of oil found between the rotors to create a seal and maintain proper efficiency as the compression occurs. The unfortunate side effect of this solution is that oil may carry over to the point of use in your air system. This can be mitigated by having correct filtration in place to remove the oil contaminants in your air. Additionally, many individuals may decide to opt for a completely oil-free solution, with the use of a scroll compressor or water injected screw compressor.

What do I need to look for in my piping solution?

Most businesses concentrate on the air compressor and consider the piping as a secondary concern. The piping system can make or break your business. Faulty, inefficient piping can cause pressure loss and lost power. Keeping a close eye on the overall layout, installations and maintenance of your air piping system will help keep your business running at its’ optimal efficiency.

Why Ash Air?

Our #1 Focus is Customer Service! Whether you have questions about which compressor is right for you, or if you’re ready to improve your operations and start saving on expenses. Ash Air has been around for over 40 years because we offer reliable and hardworking air compressors, vacuum pumps, and services as well as expert advice and support.

How to know when to fix your compressor vs. get a new one?

If your daily business operations depend heavily on having compressed air, this question is extremely important. Should you repair your broken compressor or get a new one?

Why is an oil analysis important?

An oil analysis can prevent problems later down the road. It's often been referred to as the blood test for your compressor. Just like a blood test can tell you about your health and early alerts to impending problems, an analysis can do the same for your compressor.

How Can Pressure Drops Cost You Money



Did you know that pressure drops and leaks are the two largest areas of energy loss on your air compressors? It’s easy to understand why a leaking pipe or fitting creates energy loss. Pressure drops are not quite as noticeable, since you cannot hear ...

Why Is My Compressor Room Getting so Hot?


Air compressors must have adequate ventilation because, when running, they produce a fair amount of heat.

What are some Troubleshooting tips for my dryer?

Whenever anything doesn't work properly, it's frustrating and we get it. If this is your first time experiencing troubles with your dryer, you're probably unsure where to even start. Getting your dryer repaired and back up and working is critical to ...

Screw Compressor Energy Saving Tips

Screw compressors are helpful for an enormous range of applications such as air filling, packaging, tools, HVAC control, and more! One possible drawback is the amount of electricity they use; air compressors can be a huge drain on energy if used ​ine...

Can My Air Compressor Be Outside?

Considering installing your air compressor outside? Think again. The temptation to save space may sound enticing, but in the long haul is will cost you.

How Much Oil Does My Air Compressor Need?


Most air compressors require constant oil lubrication to prevent friction on the pistons or screws and other moving parts. To make sure your air compressor is running efficiently, it is important to check your oil level regularly and to know how much...

What does a total Air Solution mean?

Have you heard of the term "Total Air Solutions"? A total air solution means everything that goes with the compressor for your business’s air system. 90% of companies require more than just an air compressor. 

What Does Air Treatment Mean?

When speaking of air compressors, compressed air treatment is a process that dehumidifies and cleans air before entering the compressor. Most commonly, this process involves air filters and an air dryer.

What's the difference between backup, stand-by and redundant equipment?

Having a second compressor can come in handy and keep your business always up and running. The configuration of the second unit can be as a backup machine, or as a redundant unit with your other compressor, or as a backup if your main compressor goes...

Why should I choose a speed-controlled compressor?

One large benefit to a speed-controlled compressor is reducing power cost, minimizing power surges and delivering a more constant pressure needed for the job at hand.

Why Do I Need an Oil-Water Separator and How Does It Work?

Inside of your air compressor, you will find an internal oil-water separator. The internal separator separates the water from the oil that stays inside the compressor. 

How often do I have to service my compressor?

You understand the importance of servicing and performing maintenance on your car, why wouldn’t you do the same for your air compressor?

Maximise the efficiency of your compressed air installation

Save on energy consumption and enjoy maximum uptime by analysing, monitoring and optimising your compressor room

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