Advice On Plumbing in Compressed Air Line

[AlanB]

I ran PEX in mine and have been pretty pleased. Felt it was a good compromise. Did a thread with something like Barn Airlines in the title.

I really felt it important to have the large diameter tubing supplying my air, then when I look around at what we do at work, with hose, feeding a pig feeding another hose, feeding another pig, then to a hose feeding a high consumption air tool like a cut off wheel and we run all day like that (aircraft maintenance hanger with multiple sheetmetal guys at work) I think my next round of expansion will be with those terrible Crapsman air hoses that I have that don't roll for nothing. Just a lot more straight forward, staple them up with wiring stuff and maybe feed a fire extinguisher pig or a copper drop leg if I am concerned about water.

Oh, and the pex is holding up real well, and does not appreciably leak, it stays charged all the time.

Good luck however you go.

 

[dstig1]

Found it:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/192714-alanbs-barn-airlines.html

So you did this about a year and a half ago?

 

[Danno1]

You are correct. All PVC is brittle. The only plastic I'm aware of that is appropriate for compressed gas is HDPE (High Density Polyethylene). It does not get brittle. When it fails, it cracks or tears, not shatters. It's a great product, but I don't think it would be much cheaper than steel.

I was reading earlier today the ABS is also approved. It splits when it fails rather than shatter. Kinda hard to find though. And I'll bet it's $$$


.

 

[brokenknee]

19880520 The Use of Polyvinyl Chloride Pipe in Above Ground Installations

I read through the thread kind of fast, not sure if this was already posted.

 

[AlanB]

Found it:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/projects/192714-alanbs-barn-airlines.html

So you did this about a year and a half ago?

Yes, I guess so looking at the date. Probably did it shortly before posting it. I just leave the air on. May regret it if it blows and my Air compressor dies, but as much as we use it I would hate to have to cycle everything each time.

If you have never worked with Pex it is really really great to work with. Little bit steep to get the tools to play, but once you have them, you will wonder why you screwed around with the other stuff so long.

As to the Pex deteriorating in light, I did wrap a pipe wrap insulation tube (black rubber) on the airline outside from the air compressor into the barn to keep it out of the light.