As we prepare for the season to change, we do various things to prepare. We wrap outdoor pipes exposed to the cold, stock up on firewood and take blankets and warm clothing out of storage, unearth ice scrapers forgotten from last year to clean our windshields, and power up our heaters. But what can we do for the machinery we use at our job?
Does Cold Weather Impact Industrial Air Compressors?
As we age, we often find our bodies becoming more susceptible to changes in the weather. Whether changes in barometric pressure lead to headaches or a sharp dip in temperature makes your joints feel stiff and uncomfortable, there’s no doubt the weather impacts us significantly. So why wouldn’t it impact the machinery and tools we use to make products we need?
Industrial air compressors do have the potential to be impacted by changes in the weather, particularly during the colder months between late Fall and early Spring. Depending on where you live, the amount of time you can expect your industrial compressor to potentially experience issues due to the weather will vary. A good rule of thumb is that if the air temperature within your facility falls below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, your compressor is likely to feel the change. The impact the weather will have on your system will depend on the temperature as well as the length of time your facility remains that temperature.
Ways the Cold Weather Affects Industrial Air Compressors
Thickening Oil: When temperatures begin to drop, the oil within your compressor will begin to increase in viscosity. This is important to be aware of because an increase in oil viscosity will result in a lower level of lubrication within your system. As a result, your system will have to work harder and use more power to operate the pump. If this decrease in lubrication is persistent due to weather, it can decrease your motor’s lifespan.
Corrosion Occurs Rapidly: Since your industrial air compressor cannot maintain the same efficiency in cold weather compared to warmer weather, more condensate can build up within the components of your system. The presence of this excess condensate leads to a high potential for corrosion among the internal parts of your unit.
Control Lines May Freeze: During the normal operation of your compressor, the control lines on your unit will accumulate moisture as a result of the condensate we mentioned previously. When temperatures in your facility fall below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, there is a good chance that your control lines may freeze, negatively impacting your system’s performance. Other parts of your system, like heat exchangers, drain valves, and other parts can either freeze or crack as a result of the cold weather.
Filters: The filters within your industrial air compressor can also accumulate ice when temperatures are below freezing. This causes a restriction within your filter, and can prevent efficient airflow within your system. The resulting buildup of ice can fracture the filter bowl and cause a pressure drop within your facility.
How To Prevent Industrial Air Compressor Damage from Cold Air
The best way to protect your industrial air compressor from damage as a result of cold temperatures is to winterize your system. There are many ways to winterize your system, but here are a few things you should ensure you do before temperatures drop.
Thoroughly clean areas where moisture is likely to build up. This includes separators, drains, and valves. Ensuring these areas are free of standing moisture is a great way to make sure you start the cold season off right.
Check on your lubricants. During the winter, the colder weather will thicken your lubricants, making your system work harder and use more power. If your lubricants are low, that will increase the rate at which low levels will impact your system, resulting in wear and tear.
Adjust the louvers within your system. Adjusting the louvers in your system ensures that the lubrication within your system is evenly distributed.
Increase indoor temperatures. One of the best ways to make sure your system is still running the way you need it to is to increase the temperature of the facility where the unit is housed. Provide insulation or a heat source for parts that are exposed to the cold.
ESA Can Help This Winter
Our technicians at ESA have a plethora of knowledge when it comes to prepping your industrial air compressor for cold weather; and in the rare instance you forget how to properly winterize your compressor before it’s too late, we know how to perform maintenance, repairs, and part replacements you may need. Call us today for a consultation; we’re happy to answer your questions, address your concerns, and keep your application running smoothly.