This modular aluminum system is lightweight, corrosion-free and very easy to install and modify. The flexible and versatile system offers the widest product range for the transport of compressed air, inert gases and vacuum as well as high-pressure air and fluids.
It is available in a broad range of sizes, pressures and fittings. Here are some other advantages of the Unipipe system:. Fluid-Aire Dynamics can help you select, install and maintain your compressed air piping.
We can also help you design your piping layout for maximum performance and determine the right size compressed air piping for your needs. Need help installing or updating your compressed air system piping? Contact us to set up a consultation with a compressed air system engineer. Plastic Pipe Plastic compressed air piping is cheap, lightweight, easy to install and non-corrosive.
The materials are lightweight and easy to work with, requiring no special bracing or supports. Plastics can be easily cut and fit using standard tools and can be glued together rather than welded. The interior surface is smooth for maximum laminar flow. Plastic does not corrode, so plastic piping minimizes the risk of particulates making their way into the airflow.
Metal Pipe Piping options made from various types of metal are the more traditional choice for compressed air distribution. Black Iron Pipe Black iron piping has long been considered a standard for compressed air delivery. Iron piping does have a few drawbacks. Iron pipes are very heavy, so anchoring must be used with suspended piping systems. Iron can be difficult to cut and join, requiring a skilled plumber or welder to install.
Leaks often develop along joins or welds. Most critically, black iron piping is highly susceptible to corrosion when it comes into contact with moisture from the air compressor. When rust develops inside iron piping, it can cause blockages or make its way into the compressed air stream, fouling the air lines and causing problems for production processes. Galvanized Steel Pipe Galvanized steel piping has many of the same advantages and disadvantages of its black iron counterpart, with one major exception: galvanization significantly reduces corrosion.
Stainless Steel Pipe Stainless steel is highly durable and resistant to corrosion, making it the longest-lasting and most expensive choice among the steel and iron piping alternatives. Copper Pipe Copper pipe is another corrosion-free choice for compressed air piping.
Aluminum Pipe Systems Aluminum compressed air piping systems have grown in popularity over the last 10 to 15 years, and with good reason. Aluminum offers a number of benefits, including: light weight three times lighter than iron piping , zero corrosion, high leak resistance, and ease of installation.
No special tools are required for assembly or installation, and no grooving or crimping are necessary. Thus, for the example cfm, 40 hp compressor, piping size of 1. If two of these compressors are to operate at the same time, then the piping header in the compressor room should be sized at least 2 in.
Note that it is often understood that the use of smooth bore piping like stainless steel, copper or aluminum will reduce the pressure loss per unit length, so smaller equivalent piping can be used. For this reason downsizing the piping is not always desirable.
A table is presented for your reference at the beginning of this blog. Note that these calculations are for a system pressure of psi, but as the pressure changes the velocity of the compressed air within the pipe will also change, so new calculations need to be done at worst cases conditions. This oil protects your piping from corrosion. Second: part of your system.
A compressed air system is built up of several main parts. We have the compressor with the aftercooler, dryers and filters all usually located in the compressor room , we have the main distribution lines and we have the point-of-use lines. Since the air leaving your compressor will be hot without after-cooler about 80 degrees, with after-cooler about 35 degrees , plastic is not an option here. Wet air and plain steel piping is not a good combination because of rust.
Stainless steel is both able to withstand oil and water and can also withstand the high temperature of the compressed air as it leaves the compressor. For the big distribution lines, a lot more options are available. The air is clean and free of most air and oil ideally. Still, plain steel piping is very sensitive to rust. Best to use galvanized steel, stainless steel or plastic. For the point-of-use lines the same is true as for the distribution lines. You could choose stainless or galvanized steel for the distribution lines and plastic for the point-of-use lines.
The big advantage of plastic pipes is that it is so easy to process.
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