Which to Use? Blowers or Compressed Air? Answer is not always straight forward.

Both low pressure blowers and high pressure compressed air is used for blow-off and cooling applications. Much has been made of the higher energy cost in using compressed air over the last 15 to 20 years which all started when the cost of compressed air “leaks” came to light, putting added focus on compressed air cost. However, the choice between the two is not always so clear as there is far more than energy cost to consider.

1. The purchase price of blower is high. If there is already a compressor, it needs to be considered.

2. Blowers take up space and must be close to the application -- so if space is an issue, the compressed air option may be better

3. Blower noise - A major safety concern, often exceeding OSHA exposure levels, is the presence of compressed air products to reduce blowing and cooling noise

4. Unless it is a very powerful blower, it will not dry or cool, just like compressed air. Many times, installing a blower and then adding compressed air is just because it is not sufficiently dry or cooled, thus reducing the perceived energy saving effect. Blowers rarely have the same purging power as compressed air purging. Most likely you only need to blow out with compressed air at a pressure lower than the line pressure. If you use an application that requires only 30 psig as an example, you can reduce the energy use of compressed air by more than 60%. In addition, the blower cannot be turned on and off in a cycle. If the blowing needs to be intermittent, the greater the difference between the time the compressed air blowing needs to work and the time it can be circulated, the closer it is to the same level of energy use, and in some cases even less.

5. Adverse environment influences selection. When the environment is too cold, too wet, or too hot, the maintenance cost of the blower can exceed the energy cost of using compressed air.

6. The blower requires higher maintenance - the filter is replaced every 1 to 3 months, the belt every 3 to 6 months, and the bearing is replaced

Questions to ask yourself when considering which technology to use

The actual force required for cooling or blowing compressed air blowing companies often unrealistically minimize the energy costs they require and maximize blower maintenance and capital costs. Blower companies do the opposite -- prolong the cost of energy used in compressed air by calculating costs at higher pressures than might be needed, disregarding intermittent use, and minimizing the maintenance costs that might arise from using a blower. They also rarely mention the noise factor, which is a major safety concern and the extra space the system can take up. In making an appropriate choice, you need to ask the following questions:

1. Really understand the maintenance cost, repair, replacement parts and downtime maintenance cost of blower. The harsher the environment, the better it is for compressed air. If not so harsh blower.

2. What are you drying or cooling? How much force does it really take to get the job done? Whether the parts are continuous or intermittent (this will allow a cycle switch if compressed air is used). If it is continuous, it benefits the blower; If it is intermittent, it helps to compress the air.

3. Is noise a problem? If so, compressed air is advantageous.

4. Do they have excess compressed air capacity? Obviously, to use compressed air, you need the capacity.As green energy comes into use, energy costs fall, maintenance costs rise due to a lack of qualified personnel, and factory noise issues set a precedent, these factors will also influence the correct timing of compressed air. The semester.