Help me spec an air compressor

[edm1077]

How does one go about spec-ing an air compressor? I will be running a 20 HL system. I will be bottling 22oz. bombers with a 4-head meheen and then running a 16 head rotary line mid-2008. The air compressor that was supposed to come with my system was broken, so it was not shipped. What are other factors to consider with air compressors? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks-
Eric

[MatthewS]

We are also trying to figure out the best size air compressor.. Any info would be helpful.

I will running a PPM 6head Evolution for a bottler and as IDD Squire II for a kegger.

We will be bunging in the fermenter to get a little and then bumping up the rest in the bright.

Would love some info on this.
Matthew

[Michael Murphy]

are you using a keg washer/ filler- those use the most amount of air in a brewery... look for a screw drive compressor they are quiet, fast recharge, and usualy have a dryer built in. they arent cheap but they are worth it.

I have a abac screw comp. with a 200 lt air tank and it usually runs around 10 bar (9.7) and it does the packaging line with depall- palletizer, keg washer- pasteurizer and all the air valves no problem all at the same time....with plenty to spare... go BIG

[fcaseyf]

Talk to your equipment suppliers and find out what the scfm is for each piece of equipment (150 bpm filler is around 20-30 scfm depending on manufacturer, sterile air wort airation 1-3 scfm). Then figure out what you will need in the future for air needs and then start shopping for a compressor. Screw compressors like Michael said are the way to go but they are expensive.

[Meheen]

Eric,

Air compressors are one of the things that bigger really is better. I would recommend you look for a piston style compressor with oil in the crank case with a storage tank. You are looking for a rating of 10CFM @90psi, this is a measure of the volume the compressor can deliver at 90psi. You will also want the compressor to come on at 100psi or higher. The next thing to consider is the duty cycle. If the compressor is rate at a 50% duty cycle that means it is only rated to run half the time and if the air deliver numbers are marginal, the compressor may end up running too long for its rated duty cycle which will shorten its life. You can find compressors with 80-100% duty cycles in single and two-stage pumps. Generally speaking you will want a compressor of 5hp (220 volt)with a good duty cycle and staorage tank. Many use compressors from Grainger in their cast iron and stationary lines.

Now that you know what you are looking for. I will say DO NOT use an oiless compressor like you might find at Sears or Home Depot. These compressors will end up running beyond their duty cycle and the lubricant in side will get hot and become vapor. This vapor is corrosive to pneumatic components and may damage your equipement. :eek:

Dave Meheen
Meheen Mfg. Inc.

How does one go about spec-ing an air compressor? I will be running a 20 HL system. I will be bottling 22oz. bombers with a 4-head meheen and then running a 16 head rotary line mid-2008. The air compressor that was supposed to come with my system was broken, so it was not shipped. What are other factors to consider with air compressors? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks-
Eric