Power and energy

Compressed-air specific energy calculator

Normalise compressed air system electrical power against delivered air flow, in metric and imperial units.

Calculate

Aligned measurement interval
kW
m³/min
The conversion changes the unit only. The reference conditions (standard, normal, free air delivery or actual) stay as measured.

Worked example

Specific electrical power

 kW/(m³/min)

Specific power in imperial units
 kW/100 cfm
Flow in m³/min
16.7 m³/min
Flow in cfm
 cfm
Flow per electrical kW
0.167 m³/min per kW

Compare only at aligned pressure, flow reference conditions, system boundary and time interval.

Underlined figures are rounded. Select one to copy its full value.

Method and assumptions

Formula

specific energy = complete electrical input kW ÷ delivered flow

Flow-unit conversion does not reconcile standard, normal, free-air-delivery or actual operating conditions.

Limits of this result

  • Compare values only at an aligned discharge pressure and the same flow reference conditions.
  • Include package auxiliaries, dryers and other system loads only when the comparison boundary requires them and state that boundary.
  • A short steady-state ratio does not represent annual system efficiency, leakage or production effectiveness.

Technical sources

  1. Improving Compressed Air System Performance — sourcebookUS Department of Energy Better Plants · third edition

Put the value to work

Read the related engineering guidance, or carry this task into System Builder to identify the signal path and EpiSensor products.

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