Feature

Taking the hiss out of compressed air

A smart sensor solution is offering a transparent way to save the energy and carbon footprint lost from compressed air leaks.

06/10/2021 17:18:59

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Darren Pratt, Industrial Instrumentation Product Manager for SICK UK, explains why monitoring a real-time reading of the compressed air energy expended could be the key to unlocking significant
benefits both for the bottom line and for sustainability.

Have you ever walked into a production hall early in the morning, before the machines start up, and heard a hissing
sound? That is the sound of compressed air leaks. It may be commonplace enough, but it is still the sound of your company’s cash quite literally disappearing into thin
air.

Compressed air is the ‘fourth utility’ of manufacturing, yet it’s estimated that manufacturers waste around 30 percent of the air they generate. Tracking down and fixing leaks can be
a laborious, hit-and-miss affair. Yet, compressed air accounts for 10 percent of energy use in a typical operation, rising to 30 percent in heavy-use industries.

Read the full article in DPA's October issue

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.