Training course on energy efficiency in SMEs - engine-sme.eu

Step 5: Calculating losses from
leaks
There will always be some leaks in the system. Since the
cost of producing compressed air is so high, every effort
should be made to keep leaks to a minimum.
To quantify the losses caused by leakage in the distribution
system use the following calculation:
QL =
Vn x 3,600
t
x [pe2 - pe1]
QL [m 3 /h]: leakage between maximum and minimum pressure
VD [m3]: volume of the storage container and of the system
t [sec]: time for the pressure to drop from the higher to the lower level
P e2 [bar]:
P e1 [bar]:
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pressure of the storage container at the higher level, start of
measurement
pressure of the storage container at lower level, end of
measurement