Compressed air users learn how to plug leaks at Western workshop
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At the Aug. 28 compressed air workshop, speaker Hank Van Ormer (right) shows steam analysis tools to (left) Bob Meade of NMPP Energy; John Pankratz, Western Energy Services manager; Phil Euler of Lincoln Electric System; and Craig Knoell, Western field representative. (Photo courtesy of NMPP Energy)
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Ask not if your compressed air system leaks; ask how much it leaks and what those leaks are costing your company, industry expert Hank Van Ormer advised participants at the Aug. 28 workshop, "Mastering the Most Expensive Utility—Your Compressed Air System."
Nebraska Municipal Power Pool Energy coordinated the daylong session, the third that Van Ormer has presented for Western. "The goal is to promote tools to use energy efficiently in business," explained John Pankratz, Energy Services manager for Western's Upper Great Plains region. "With more 40 years of experience in compressed air system design and management, Van Ormer knows how to do that."
Power providers team up to promote training opportunity
The workshop drew 42 participants, including utility representatives and compressed air system operators, to NMPP Energy's Lincoln offices. "We invited utility managers, account representatives, system owners and maintenance people to attend," said NMPP Energy Member Development Manager Corrinne Pedersen. "It turned out to be a great opportunity for municipal utilities to look at their key accounts and see which ones might really benefit from this kind of training."
Although NMPP Energy coordinated the event, Pedersen stressed that teamwork made the workshop a success. "It was a dual effort, with power providers working with Western to get the word out to customers."
Lincoln Electric System, Nebraska Public Power District and Omaha Public Power District helped promote the workshop. Several utility superintendents invited customers, and LES paid the registration fee for some of its key accounts. Everyone got involved because the workshop was such an important service to end-use customers with compressed air systems, Pedersen said. "Learning about the technology is far more cost effective than waiting until there is an obvious problem and calling a consultant."
Familiarity with technology leads to savings
In his presentation, Van Ormer confirmed that being able to identify and improve inefficiencies in a system could help plants minimize operating costs. He recommended regularly scheduled system audits to prevent costly leakages. A centrifugal compressor, for example, should be adjusted every quarter. Modern equipment that detects leaks while the plant is operating makes auditing more efficient.
Unfortunately, Van Ormer added, a lot of people are afraid to touch their machinery. Because modern rotary systems are simpler to install and require less maintenance than older models, fewer plants keep highly trained engineers on staff. "It's easy for owners to make the mistake of treating a compressor like an appliance instead of the delicate piece of equipment it is," he noted. "I asked one owner what the set point on his system was. He said he didn't know, that it was adjusted five years ago."
Training is the key to demystifying compressed air systems. The workshop covered everything from basic terminology to evaluating a system management program. First-hand case studies demonstrated system design, appropriate applications, common problems and troubleshooting. "With fewer maintenance folks around, facility staffs need to understand the equipment," Van Ormer declared. "Just knowing the right question to ask can save hundreds of dollars."
Learning to save money—and energy—are what Western-sponsored workshops are all about, and four out of five participants indicated on their evaluations that the workshop met or exceeded their expectations. "It's a pleasure to know that people left with information they can use to positively affect their systems," said Pankratz.
Western regularly provides technical assistance through hands-on workshops and other training, either directly—usually cost-shared with customers—or by another source. Visit the events calendar for upcoming workshops, or suggest one using the online suggestion form.
As Pedersen noted, making time for training is challenging, but the rewards, for both the power provider and the end use customer, are well worth the effort.