Compressed Air Systems Laboratory

The largest expense, next to labor, in most industrial facilities is the electrical energy required to operate the compressed air systems that supply pressurized air for nearly every operation, including all hand tools (e.g. grinders, drills wrenches, etc.), heavy lifting and stamping operations, conveyor belt systems, mixing operations, etc. This huge expense has earned compressed air systems the title of the fourth building utility (after gas, water, and electricity). As a result, the Compressed Air Systems Laboratory was recently developed and built to extend the research capabilities of the Center for Building Energy Research further into industrial applications (a direction similar to the Industrial Assessment Center – IAC). The Compressed Air Systems Laboratory contains a state-of-the-art compressed air system similar to that found in any industrial facility. Major components in the system are a 5hp reciprocating compressor, a 30hp screw compressor, two receivers, a refrigeration-type dryer, filters, regulators and distribution manifolds. Additional compressors and dryers also operate in the laboratory. These facilities are used for laboratory teaching of ME443, Compressed Air Systems, and also for researching approaches for reducing energy consumption.