Commonly, different materials can be used for compressed air pipes such as carbon steel, bronze, PVC, stainless steel, among others.
However, in recent years most companies, engineering firms, and contractors have opted for aluminum pipes. Here are 5 reasons to use aluminum tubing.
Energy saving
The pressure drops in the network force to increase its consumption of current, temperature and electrical energy to generate the necessary pressure in the compressor room.
Among the causes that generate pressure drops are:
Corrosion and roughness on the internal walls
Small or inadequate diameters
Inefficient piping design
Aluminum tube uses smooth surfaces and unconstrained connectors, minimizing pressure drops.
Low installation costs
Aluminum being a very light material the amount of personnel required for its installation is reduced to a minimum unlike carbon steel or bronze. Similarly, no specialized tools are required for installation or liquids that must be subsequently removed from the pipes before starting to use the systems. Another benefit is that it is not necessary qualified labor for its installation, so the costs decrease considerably in this area.
Leak reduction
It is estimated that between 8% and 10% of the compressed air in a system escapes due to leaks at threaded connections. This increases and prolongs the duty cycle that compressors must do, which raises electrical energy costs.
Zero corrosion and higher quality.
Unlike carbon steel, aluminum pipes do not corrode. The compressed air provided by a system built with aluminum pipes is much cleaner than the air offered by a steel pipe system. Also, PVC over time becomes brittle.
Shorter installation times
As aluminum is a light material, its handling becomes lighter, it is estimated that it takes 40% of the time it takes to install a conventional steel pipe produced by aluminium products supplier. In the same way, the modifications and extensions that are usually carried out are executed in less time thanks to its rapid assembly and disassembly.
