Measuring Compressed Air: Which Meter to Pick

Why measure compressed air

Compressed air is one of the most expensive utilities in a plant — typically 10–20% of electricity. Metering each compressor, dryer and key user shows leaks and lets you charge cost centers fairly.

Three approaches compared

Recommendations

• At the compressor discharge and dryers: thermal mass meters give direct standard flow, but keep them in a clean, dry spot.
• In distribution headers and large consumers: vortex with pressure compensation is accurate and immune to the oil present in older networks.
• Small branches and leak surveys: clamp-on ultrasonic is convenient when you cannot cut the line.

Installation notes

Give 10D upstream straight pipe and avoid fitting meters right after dryers where flow pulses. A monthly trend of each header helps quantify leak loss.

Send us your compressor capacity and pipe layout for a free recommendation — including which of your air users hides the leaks.