Industrial businesses and manufacturers face certain challenges when it comes to compressed air systems. To maintain their position in the market, advanced equipment and technology is often needed to meet their productivity goals. However, every business is different. They don’t all have the same specifications for operations.
When it comes to instrument air skid equipment packages, the solution to this problem lies in customization. Customized equipment can help businesses create a tailored solution that meets their needs and requirements.
Any time we meet with customers to discuss package options, one of the first topics we cover is their goals. Size, capacity, air quality, production output, and other compressed air factors determine how best to meet those goals. With so many options to choose from, it can feel overwhelming to pick what’s right for your business. Unimac is here to help, and our team will guide you through every step of the process.
Customizing an Instrument Air Skid Equipment Package can lead to enhanced operational efficiency, improved product quality, and significant cost savings. To help get you started, we’ve put together a short guide for customizing instrument air skid equipment packages.
What Goes Into Building an Air Package?
An Instrument Air Skid Equipment Package (commonly referred to as an Instrument Air Package) is a compact, self-contained system that provides clean, dry, and regulated compressed air. Compressed air is used to operate automated process control equipment, known as ‘instrumentation’,’ in various industrial settings.
The basic components of an Instrument Air Skid Equipment Package typically include:
Air Compressors: Machines that compress ambient air to the required pressure.
Aftercoolers: Cools the compressed air to reduce its temperature.
Air Dryers: Removes moisture from the compressed air to prevent corrosion or freezing of instruments.
Filters: Removes particulates, oil, and other contaminants from the compressed air.
Regulators: Adjusts the air pressure to the correct level for the instrumentation.
Storage Tanks: Stores the treated air until it’s needed.
The entire package is mounted on a skid, which is a metal frame, for easy installation and transportation.
Instrument air packages are widely used in industries such as the oil and gas, industrial, manufacturing, power generation, chemical processing, and manufacturing industries, among others. These industries rely on clean, reliable instrument air is critical for safe and efficient operation.
Benefits of Customization
At Unimac, we want to help our customers build the most efficient systems possible while protecting their bottom line.
Too little or too much pressure, wasted space, incorrect storage tank sizes, moisture issues, and contaminated air are some of the most common problems we see with customers looking for a new skid. By selecting components that match exact needs, businesses can potentially avoid paying for unnecessary features.
Customizations can offer significant benefits to businesses. By tailoring the package to precisely meet their unique requirements, companies can ensure optimal productivity and efficiency in their operations. Customization allows for precise control over factors like pressure, volume, and air quality. Industries where even minor deviations can have substantial implications rely on precise control.
Additionally, a custom package can be designed to fit within specific spatial constraints. If your business has plans to grow, systems can be designed with future expansion or changes in mind to provide flexibility and longevity.
Customization Options in Instrument Air Skid Equipment Packages
Please keep in mind that this blog is intended to be a starting point in your purchasing process. Not every customization option offered by Unimac is listed below, but we do have general factors to consider in your buying journey.
Some of the key areas to consider include:
Operational Requirements
Understand the specific needs of your operation. Consider the pressure, volume, power source, duty cycle, and air quality required.
Control Options
Precision in control equipment is necessary to ensure that your package operates at peak performance. Customization options in control equipment include touchscreens, remote monitoring, and various control mechanisms that match your specific needs.
Environment
Consider the environmental conditions where the equipment will be installed. Factors like temperature, humidity, and altitude can affect performance.
Space Constraints
The available space for installation will influence the design of the package. It should be compact yet accessible for maintenance. An open frame, for instance, allows you to easily access equipment, while protective enclosures provide equipment security in hazardous environments.
Future Expansion
Design with future growth or changes in mind. The system should be flexible enough to accommodate potential operational changes.
Regulatory Compliance
Ensure your design complies with all relevant industry standards and regulations.
Safety Requirements
Safety should be a top priority. Include features like pressure relief valves, emergency shutdown systems, and fire and gas detection systems.
Energy Efficiency
Consider the energy efficiency of the system. More efficient systems may have higher upfront costs but can result in substantial savings over time.
Maintenance Accessibility
The design should allow for easy access to components that require regular maintenance.
Reliability
Use high-quality components to ensure the reliability and longevity of the system.
Cost
Last but not least, consider your budget. While it’s important to invest in quality, you also need to balance this with your financial constraints.
A well-designed Instrument Air Skid Equipment Package can significantly improve the efficiency and productivity of your operations. Our team will go over each category with you to choose options that work best. Don’t worry about feeling overwhelmed or indecisive right now. We understand instrument air packages are an investment, so we’re here to answer any questions and provide our professional feedback.
Conclusion
Unimac has supplied custom -built packages for twenty years to companies across the world. We’ve been in the business long enough to know what works and what doesn’t. We want to make the design process as easy as possible for our customers. We use industry expertise to understand their goals and recommend a system that’ll provide benefits for years to come.
Ready to take your business to the next level with a custom instrument air package? Contact us or give us a call at 214-879-1010 to get started today.
