C837 For-Data-Collectors QRG
C837 For-Data-Collectors QRG
Other standards
ISO 50001 - provides a framework of the requirements that help organizations develop a policy for
more efficient use of energy. The general idea is to follow a Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle.
ISO 50006:2014 - helps users establish, use and maintain energy performance indicators and energy
baselines as part of the process of measuring and tracking energy performance.
ISO 11011:2013 - sets requirements for conducting and reporting the results of a comprehensive
compressed air system assessment.
Measurement period
• Typically selected as a reference. Must be long enough to capture all normal conditions in the
system.
Measurement Boundary
• The subset of components of the compressed air system that are significant energy user (SEU)
that are deemed relevant to measure to establish EnPIs.
1. Determine boundaries
2. Determine SEUs energy inputs/outputs
3. Determine measurement techniques (EnPI process)
4. Determine measurement period (EnB process)
5. Normalize
6. Evaluate
7. Report
8. Repeat
Static Factors
A static factor is a condition or a variable that impacts energy performance but does not routinely
change. If any static factors change between the baseline period and any subsequent measurement
period, it may cause difficulty in properly comparing the data. In these cases, the data user will be faced
with a choice of adjusting the baseline period to compensate for the changes or normalizing the data
from the most recent measurement period so that they can be compared with the baseline. To adjust
this data the user needs complete information about the plant conditions.
Normalization
Normalization might be required if the facility changed:
• Hours of operation
• Production throughput
• Raw material quality
Since the data user is often blind to these changes, make sure to fully document them. It is the
responsibility of the data user to do the normalization, but the data collector is responsible for collecting
all the supporting information to enable this normalization to take place.
Data collection frequency - the frequency of data sampling is an important consideration. The data user
will need to advise you of their required data collection frequency.
Data quality - the highest quality of measurement instruments should be chosen within the
measurement budget.
Levels of Measurement
Relevant Variables
Since changes in relevant variables can have an impact on the result of the EnPIs, the data collector
should quantify and record the following variables, if available, during the baseline and reporting period:
• Average pressure
• Compressed air production equipment selection
• Operating hours
• Operating parameters (ambient conditions)
• Production routine variations
• Raw material routine variations
• Product type routine variations
• Process routine changes
• Volumes and quantity routine changes
Amps to Kilowatt
The most common indirect measurement uses average amps as the input to calculate kilowatts:
Measurement Points
Most often schematics are not available. If this is the case, the input wires need to be carefully followed
to ensure the measurement captures the required components. The best point of measurement is
usually the compressor disconnect switch which is external to the compressor.
Local safety rules must be followed when conducting electrical testing. This requires a licensed
electrician to place the electrical measurement probes.
Average Power
Where data logging is used to capture the readings, the average power can be calculated by totaling all
the samples in the reporting period and dividing by the number of samples. The input to this calculation
needs to be kilowatts, due to the differences in power factor when the main motor is loaded or
unloaded. This calculation is not valid using straight input amps.
Ave kW input = (kW LD1 x LD factor1) + (kW LD2 x LD factor2) + (kW LD3 x LD factor3)
• Depending on the compressor installation conditions, discharge pressure, or the age of the
compressor, the actual readings might differ from rated values.
• For lubricated screw compressors running in load/unload mode, the calculations do not include
switching losses that occur as the compressor loads and unloads.
• Inaccurate but simple and inexpensive way to monitor SSP and TEC when no other methods are
available.
• Valuable in detecting errors in direct measurement should data loss occur.
Common Errors
• Unexpected full-scale readings when probes become saturated with water during air dryer
failures
• False readings when the flow of air enters or exits the receiver when the pressure changes
• Secondary check calculations derived from compressor power or status are recommended
• Fc = correction factor to account for declining pressure in the receiver. Frequently, a factor of
1.25 is used where (P1 – P2)/P1 = 0.5
• T = minutes between P1 and P2
• V = system volume in cubic feet
• P1 = receiver pressure at start of test
• P2 = receiver pressure at end of test
• Pa = absolute pressure of ambient (usually 14.5 psia)
Topic 6- Reporting
Resource: CSA C837-16 Table B1 Data collection and recording
Energy performance should be reported in a way that satisfies the data user’s needs.
Resources
• CSA C837-16 Standard available on the CSA online store https://store.csagroup.org/
• CSA C837 Monitoring and Energy Performance Measurements of Compressed Air Systems -
for Data Users
• Manufacturers websites have CAGI data, reports and guidebooks
• CEATI compressed air guide
• Compressed Air Challenge
• USDOE
• ANSI