Instrument Air System Design

Instrument air is used in a facility to operate valves and certain types of pumps. Pneumatic actuators rely on instrument air for operation.

Instrument Air System Design

Some types of modulating valves require instrument air for throttling. Instrument air is provided by a compressor and requires minimal treatment to ensure that the air is free of oil, water, or particulate matter.

This is usually accomplished with some type of filter regulator on the compressor outlet, and a dryer.

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CONSUMPTION

Different pieces of equipment consume different amounts of air.

For example, a shutdown valve will consume air when it is being actuated. A throttling valve will have a constant bleed rate with additional consumption when the valve is modulating.

A diaphragm pump consumes air when it is being actuated.

SIZING

Sizing an instrument air system is different than sizing a piping system where there are constant flow rates. Instrument air systems should be designed to ensure the safe and consistent operation of the end devices.

When sizing an instrument air system, there are several different approaches. One approach would be to tabulate all the instruments and devices that consume air.

However, because so many systems in a plant are dependent on instrument air, it is far better to have too much air available than too little.

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Another approach would be to size the system for all instruments consuming air at the same time.

As a rule of thumb, a great starting point is to assume that each end device requires 2 standard cubic feet per minute.

Add all the end devices up, account for future expansion, and add 10 percent for leaks and contingency.

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