The following steps can be followed for quantification of compressed air leakages.
• Shut off compressed air operated equipments (or conduct test when no equipment is using compressed air).
• Run the compressor to charge the system to set pressure of operation
• Note the sub-sequent time taken for ‘on load’ and ‘off load’ cycles of the compressors. For accuracy, take ON & OFF times for 8 – 10 cycles continuously. Then calculate total ‘ON’ Time (T) and Total ‘OFF’ time (t).
• The system leakage is calculated as
• % leakage = T × 100 / (T + t)
(or) System leakage (cmm) = Q × T / (T + t)
Q = Actual free air being supplied during trial, in cubic meters per minute (cmm)
T = Time on load in minutes
T = Time unload in minutes