Liquid Clinic: Is Air Free?

Q. We are trying to determine all of our operation costs. So how much does the air cost that I use in my spray gun?

A. Is air free? Technically, the air we use is free, but the cost to compress that air is not. Factors to consider are:

Local electrical costs
Type of compressor
Pressure used for spraying
CFM consumed
Amount of time the trigger is being pulled
Number of coats being applied
Efficiency of the gun/cap/tip combination

Before getting into the cost calculation, let’s cover some of the not-so-obvious factors. The air pressure supplied to the spray gun should be set at the lowest pressure that will enable the atomization required and still accomplish the production required. Higher pressures result in higher air consumption, therefore, higher electrical costs.

In general, it is more economical to apply the finish coat in one pass than using two thinner coats. Less paint is used and less electricity. Be sure to check your coating's technical data sheet for proper application and film builds. To find out actual air consumption, check the literature supplied with the spray gun. For pressures not listed in the literature, contact your equipment manufacturer or supplier. To calculate the daily electrical costs for the air in a spray gun use the following formula:

DC × HD × EC × CFM × 0.228.

DC = Duty cycle, the percent of time trigger is pulled
HD = Hours in work day
EC = Electrical cost per kilowatt hour (0.0935 national commercial average)
CFM = CFM rating or air consumption of the gun
0.228 = Electrical consumption of 1 CFM in KWh

For example, what is my annual cost to supply the air for my 18 CFM air cap? How much would I save if I lowered my pressure to a pressure that consumes 12 CFM or use a different air cap that consumes 12 CFM?

My factors are:

Duty cycle = 50 percent
Work day = 15 hours
Cost per KWh = $0.10
Days per year = 250
18 CFM Air Cap

0.5 × 15 × 0.1 × 18 × 0.228 × 250 = $769.50 annual electrical costs.

Compare the above to a gun/pressure combination consuming 12 CFM: 0.5 × 15 × 0.1 × 12 × 0.228 × 250 = $513.00 annual electrical costs.

Lowering air consumption by using lower air pressures or using an air cap with less air consumption would result in an annual savings of $256.50 per spray gun. The above calculations are based on typical efficiencies and are approximate. The change in cost is proportional and is correct as a percentage of the higher cost.

Focusing on reducing the air costs of your spray gun is just the beginning for reducing air costs in your finishing department. Circulation pumps are another focal point for reducing air consumption with the electric circulation pumps available in the marketplace today. The easiest air savings that your facility will benefit from right away are repairing air leaks. Just one 1/8" leak could be costing your facility over $1,500 per year.

Justin Hooper is the strategic IoT manager and product manager at Carlisle Fluid Technologies. Visit Carlisleft.com.