Air Receiver Storage: A Matter of Ratios

Air receivers were originally sized to a 1 to 1 ratio, which is to say 1 gallon of air receiver storage to 1 CFM of generated compressed air. This ratio was typical in the past when most manufacturing facilities predominantly used large reciprocating air compressors. Today the majority of manufacturers use large rotary screw compressors or centrifugal compressors. For purposes of energy efficiency and balancing air supply with air demand, the ratio is now 3 - 5 gallons of air receiver storage to 1 CFM of compressed air — the larger the air receiver, the greater the energy savings and system balance. Proper air compressor controls facilitate energy savings and are critical as well when applying.