The Transair Connection Process
Labor accounts for 20 percent of the
cost of installing an aluminum piping system. By comparison,
labor accounts for 60 to 80 percent of a steel system,
50 to 70 percent of a copper system and 40 to 60 percent
of a plastic system.
The
materials
and
modular
design
of
a
Transair
air
quick
connection pipe
system makes
it
easier
and less expensive to install than traditional systems. Its aluminum piping
is easier to lift and handle than standard steel piping, and its push-to-connect
fittings secure connections with a simple push and twist. The fittings
eliminate
the need for special tools, pipe preparation and threading. The use of
Transair
also eliminates the time needed for soldering and glue drying. And once
the pipe
is pushed
into the
fittings,
the connections
secure
and ready
to be
pressurized.
Size Considerations
A common error we see in compressed
air systems, in addition to poor piping practice, is line
sizes too small for the desired air flow. This isn’t
limited to the interconnecting piping from compressor discharge
to dryer to header. It also applies to the distribution
lines conveying air to production areas and within the
equipment found there. Undersized piping restricts the
flow and reduces the discharge pressure, thereby robbing
the user of expensive compressed air power. Small piping
exacerbates poor piping practices by increasing velocity-
and turbulence-induced backpressure.
Pipe size and layout design are the
most important variables in moving air from the compressor
to the point of use. Poor systems not only consume significant
energy dollars, but also degrade productivity and quality.
The objective in sizing interconnecting piping is to transport
the maximum expected volumetric flow from the compressor
discharge, through the dryers, filters and receivers, to
the main distribution header with minimum pressure drop.
Contemporary designs that consider the true cost of compressed
air target a total pressure drop of less than 3 psi.
Beyond this point, the objective for
the main header is to transport the maximum anticipated
flow to the production area and provide an acceptable supply
volume for drops or feeder lines. Again, modern designs
consider an acceptable header pressure drop to be 0 psi.
Finally, for the drops or feeder lines,
the objective is to deliver the maximum anticipated flow
to the work station or process with minimum or no pressure
loss. Again, the line size should be sized for near zero
loss. The lower the pressure drop in transporting air,
the lower the system’s energy input.
Installation Costs
Transair compressed air pipe systems
are quick to install and ready for immediate pressurization.
No particular preparation (cutting, deburring, chamfering,
etc.) is required. Transair aluminum pipe is calibrated
and fits perfectly with all Transair components. Each connection
is automatically secured and the seal is optimized. Components
are removable and interchangeable and allow immediate and
easy layout modifications. All components incorporate quick
assembly connection that enables Transair systems to be
assembled much more quickly than galvanized steel or copper
system.
Example:
- Galvanized
installation:
6 feet
per hour
- Copper
installation:
8 feet
per hour
- Transair
installation:
45 feet
per hour
All modifications add extensions to
Transair systems can be done extremely quickly and will
meet your production requirements.
Example:
-
Lateral
dismantling
of pipe:
1 minutes
30 seconds
-
Drilling
of pipe:
2 minutes
30 seconds
-
Mounting
Brackets:
45 seconds
-
Remounting
of pipe
to the
system:
1 minute
30 seconds
Installation Instructions
General:
Prior to the
installation
of a Transair compressed air distribution system, the
installer should ensure that the installation
area complies
with any regulations applicable to areas exposed to explosive
hazards (in particular the effect
of static electricity
in a silo area). Transair should be installed downstream
of the compressed air receiver,
or after the
dryer. Flexible Transair hose can be installed at the
start of the system in order to eliminate any
sources of
vibration and to facilitate maintenance operations. When
maintaining or modifying a Transair system, the relevant
section should be vented prior to the commencement of
any work. Installers should use only Transair components
and accessories, in particular Transair pipe clips and
fixture clamps. The technical properties of the Transair
components, as described in the Transair catalog, must
be respected.
Commissioning the Installation
Once the Transair
installation has been installed and prior to pressurizing,
the installer should complete all tests, inspections
and compliance checks as stated in any contract and according
to sound engineering practice and current local regulations.
Transair Pipe
and Hoses
Transair pipe
should be protected
from mechanical
impact, particularly
if exposed to
collision with
fork-lift trucks
or when sited
in an environment
with moving overhead
loads. Similarly,
rotation of the
pipe and pipe
supports should
be avoided.Transair
pipe must not
be welded. Flexible
Transair hoses
should be used
in accordance
with the recommendations
of the installation
guidelines. Note:
In certain situations,
Transair aluminium
pipe may be formed
with a bend -
please contact
us for further
information.
Expansion / Contraction
Expansion and
contraction of
the system should
be calculated
prior to installation.
The system designer
and installer
should calculate
the elongation
or retraction
of each Transair
line according
to the recommendations
in this installation
guide.
Component Assembly
Transair components
are provided
with assembly
instructions
for their correct
use - simply
follow the
methods and
recommendations
stated in this
document.
Situations to
Avoid:
- Installation
within
a solid mass (concrete,
foam, etc.)
- The hanging of any external
equipment
to
Transair
pipe
- The
use of Transair
for
earthing, or
as a support
for
electrical
equipment
- Exposure to
chemicals
that
are
incompatible
with
Transair
components
(please contact us for
further
details)
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