New compressor
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,269
Likes: 0
From: Where's my map???
New compressor
I just picked up a compressor that I bolted to the floor. I am going to run 1/2 in copper to the supply outlets. My question is. Where do I put the water seperator in the run. Should it be directly off the compressor outlet?
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 3
From: Sapulpa OK
Best place is right at the point of use. the seperater only catches liquid water. the water is condensate. In other words the water is the result of cooling. If you put the seperator at the tank, the air would continue to cool as it travels down the line and more water would condense out and run through your tool or process.
The trick is to cool the air at the tank and drain it there, then whatever air travels down the line would be dry unless it is subject to further cooling.
Steve
The trick is to cool the air at the tank and drain it there, then whatever air travels down the line would be dry unless it is subject to further cooling.
Steve
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,269
Likes: 0
From: Where's my map???
fixnair; Thanks for the help. I will tie it in as far down the run as I can.
It's been used for years with no problems.
Originally Posted by sierraben
Just curious, but is copper safe to use? 
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,166
Likes: 2
From: wi
im not shure what copper is rated at but mine has about 6 foot peice of 1inch copper line goin from the comp head to the tank.its held up to 160 for about 15 years,even the solder joint at the union hasent had a probloem
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,118
Likes: 0
From: Williamson, NY
Most compressor companies recommend running "Black" pipe and tell you not to use copper, galvanized, or PVC pipe. They recommend this not only for safety, but the thick black pipe makes a good heat sink and helps eliminate water from your compressed air supply.
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,269
Likes: 0
From: Where's my map???
It is only a 12 ft run and it is only charged when I am using it. If what ya'll are saying is true. Then how do they (manufacture) get away with using 1/2 in. soft copper from the compressor to the tank?
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
Copper is costly but it is easier and cheaper than running multiple fittings in hard pipe in that application. The line from the compressor to the tank usually has flare fittings or compression fittings. As far as I have seen the reason some fire codes don't allow copper is that the soldered connections let go at a relatively low temperature in a fire then the compressed air leaking out acts like a bellows and accelerates the fire. That jet of hot air is a real hazard to firefighters and the structure.
At the same time they allow a rubber hose from the receiver tank to the distribution lines to reduce sound/vibration transmission.
At the same time they allow a rubber hose from the receiver tank to the distribution lines to reduce sound/vibration transmission.
Last edited by Torque1st; May 25, 2007 at 09:37 AM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,118
Likes: 0
From: Williamson, NY
He's probably using compression fittings with ferrules and nuts matched to the fittings. They use these type fittings to hook up plumbing fixtures, but I am not sure what kind of pressure they are rated for though. Household water pressure (40-60psi) is a lot lower than the max air pressure of most home air compressors (125-175psi). I am an analytical chemist and I do a lot of High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and for this technique we use compression fittings on 1/16" SS tubing, that can handle pressures up to and beyond 4000psi.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
I did a lot of high vacuum work with SS tubing, Swagelok SS fittings and valves, and Varian SS fittings etc. The big stuff, smallest was 1/4" and the largest was 4". Copper gaskets in the Varian fittings.
I also did a lot of hydraulic work with pressure up to 5000PSI on some extreme systems but normally we used up to 3000PSI for most industrial work. All steel or steel reinforced hose on those systems. No copper at all.
You can find a lot of copper pressure ratings for the tube he may be using here:
http://64.90.169.191/applications/pl...th_table3e.htm
All kinds of copper info here:
http://64.90.169.191/applications/pl...ndex_table.htm
Or home here:
http://64.90.169.191/homepage.html
I also did a lot of hydraulic work with pressure up to 5000PSI on some extreme systems but normally we used up to 3000PSI for most industrial work. All steel or steel reinforced hose on those systems. No copper at all.
You can find a lot of copper pressure ratings for the tube he may be using here:
http://64.90.169.191/applications/pl...th_table3e.htm
All kinds of copper info here:
http://64.90.169.191/applications/pl...ndex_table.htm
Or home here:
http://64.90.169.191/homepage.html
Last edited by Torque1st; May 26, 2007 at 12:02 AM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,118
Likes: 0
From: Williamson, NY
Torque1st, from the links you supplied it looks like the copper tubing itself is strong enough for this application, but I did not see anything about how much pressure the fittings are rated for compression or soldered.