Key BayWatch Data Points

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If you haven’t figured it out by now, at Bay Controls, we strongly believe in the power of actionable data.

And one of the main ways we provide compressed air system data from all sources is through BayWatch, our cloud-based plant monitoring and analysis platform.

In this and the next post, we’re going to delve into some of the tools in BayWatch, the data it collects, and how it can improve the efficiency of compressed air systems.

Today, we’ll focus on two specific BayWatch topics:

  • Automatic Compressor and Air System Benchmarking and Grading
  • Industry-Standard Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

 

1) Automatic Compressor and Air System Benchmarking and Grading Utilizing the Bay Compressor Index

When you use BayWatch, we’ll compare your air compressor and compressed air system performance to other similar compressor types/sizes in the global BayWatch database.

In summary, BayWatch provides you with benchmark performance figures for your compressor using historical averages from our database.

Let’s say, for example, the average 500HP Ingersoll-Rand Centac air compressor in the Bay Index has an efficiency of 4.5 CFM/kW. BayWatch will take that value and compare it your air compressor’s efficiency. If we find that your air compressor is only making 2 CFM/kW, we know there’s a problem and that we can look into what’s wrong with it.

Additionally, we give our customers data-based comparisons tailored to their compressor type/make/size so they can see how efficient (or inefficient) their compressors and total air system is.

The grading system, meanwhile, provides a quick reference for comparing compressor efficiencies by assigning letter grades to compressors based on their performance (adjusted for compressor type). For instance, BayWatch might grade your compressor as a “C,” and you’d know that there’s potential for improvement.

 

2) Industry-Standard KPIs  

The BayWatch system allows you to ensure that you are measuring/metering the correct industry-standard KPIs for your compressors and compressed air systems instead of not measuring any data at all or not tracking the most applicable KPIs.

Common KPIs include:

  • System Pressure
  • Discharge Pressure (compressor)
  • System Flow
  • Motor Power (compressor)
  • System Energy Usage (kWh)
  • Energy Efficiency (CFM/kW)
  • Run-time / Schedule
  • Blow-Off Valve Position / Blow-Off Duration
  • Oil Pressure
  • Vibration (compressor stages)

By measuring these KPIs, you can have apples-to-apples comparisons between your compressed air systems and specific compressor types (e.g., centrifugal, reciprocating, and rotary screw compressors).

These comparisons can also be between your systems and compressors and the Bay Controls global database/index, which contains over 30 years of benchmarking data. This is often utilized for larger, multi-plant companies who want to compare their compressors in each facility.

This then helps you to save time and money, reduce maintenance costs, and achieve other more important measures to increase the operational efficiency of your systems and equipment.

Do you have any questions about these data points or how they might help your facility specifically? Let us know!

 

 

Questions about this post?

If you have questions or comments about this post, please contact us!