DISTRIBUTOR-FIRST SUPPLY PARTNER · SINCE 1999 Live · Compressed Air System
SPC Company
System 01 / 05  ·  Distributor enablement

Compressed Air System

Build a compressed air system you won't have to revisit — every layer, every part, and exactly what to put in the quote.

The 8 layers — your map of the system
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The system, layer by layer

Click a layer to open it
1 Generation Makes the compressed air — the compressor and what feeds it. ▸
Role in the system
Air Compressors
The heart of the system — where atmospheric air becomes usable compressed air. Everything downstream is sized to what the compressor produces.
Choose by fit
Reciprocating Compressor Intermittent shop use, tighter budgets. Needs rest cycles. → Rotary Screw Compressor — Fixed-Speed → Rotary Screw Compressor — VFD → Oil-Free Compressor No oil carryover allowed — food, pharma, electronics, breathing air. → Portable / Contractor Compressor Take the compressor to the job — wheels, skid, or off-grid pairing. → Duplex / Triplex Compressor System →
Role in the system
Intake Filtration
The system's first line of defense — clean intake air means a longer compressor life.
Choose by fit
Compressor Intake Filter → Compressor Intake Filter — Aftermarket →
2 Treatment Cleans and dries the air so it won't damage tools, instruments or product. ▸
Role in the system
Aftercoolers
The first stage of drying — pulls heat out of the hot discharge air so most of its moisture drops out before storage.
Product type
Integrated Aftercooler →
Role in the system
Air Dryers
The core of air treatment — removes the water vapor that would otherwise corrode lines, foul tools, and ruin product.
Choose by fit
Refrigerated Dryer → Desiccant Dryer — Regenerative → Deliquescent Dryer → Explosion-Proof Desiccant Dryer → Membrane Dryer →
Role in the system
Compressed Air Filtration
The final cleanup — strips oil, particulate and odor so the air matches what the application can tolerate.
Choose by fit
Coalescing Filter Removes oil aerosol — staged ahead of dryers and tools. → Particulate Filter Removes solid particles to a rated micron size. → Activated Carbon Filter Final polish where taste and odor matter. → Medical / Sterile Filter Sterile-grade — medical air and sensitive process. →
Role in the system
Condensate Management
Drains and one separator — moves the water the aftercooler and dryer pull out of the system, legally and without venting compressed air to do it.
Choose by fit
Electronic / Timer-Drain Condensate Drain → Zero-Air-Loss Condensate Drain → Oil-Water Separator Discharging condensate compliantly. →
3 Storage Buffers supply against demand — receiver tanks sized to the system. ▸
Role in the system
Air Receiver Tanks
The system's buffer — stores a reserve of air so the compressor isn't chasing every demand spike.
Choose by fit
Vertical Receiver Tank The default tank — saves floor space. → Horizontal Receiver Tank Where ceiling height is limited. → Portable Air Tank Field work and remote point-of-use buffering. → Specialty / Custom Pressure Vessel →
Role in the system
Safety Relief Valves
The receiver's pressure safeguard — required by code on every tank in the system.
Product type
Safety & Relief Valve Always needed — code-required over-pressure protection. →
4 Distribution Moves the air from the compressor room to every point of use. ▸
Role in the system
System Piping
The delivery network — carries air from the compressor room to every drop with as little pressure loss as possible.
Product type
Modular Aluminum Piping Plant-wide air mains — fast install, no corrosion. →
Role in the system
High-Purity Tubing & Fittings
The distribution layer for plants where the air itself must stay contaminant-free.
Choose by fit
Stainless Steel Push-to-Connect Fitting → Instrumentation Stainless Tube Fitting →
Push-to-connect fittings, quick couplers and pneumatic tubing have their primary home in the Pneumatic Automation system — they cross-link here at MRO, point-of-use and machine connections.
5 Control Regulates and protects — pressure control and mandatory safety valves. ▸
Role in the system
Compressor Control Valves
The compressor's regulating gear — keeps it loading, unloading and cycling correctly.
Choose by fit
Unloader Valve Reciprocating and rotary-screw compressors — a frequent wear part. → Inlet Control Valve Rotary screw compressors. → Discharge Check Valve Any compressor — stops backflow at shutdown. →
Role in the system
Safety & Relief Valves
System-wide protection against over-pressure — required by code.
Product type
Safety & Relief Valve Always needed — code-required over-pressure protection. →
6 End-Use Where the air goes to work — and the gateway to add-on systems like nitrogen. ▸
Role in the system
Nitrogen Generation
Turns the compressed air you already make into on-site nitrogen — an add-on to this system, not a separate one.
Choose by fit
PSA Nitrogen Generator — Standard → High-Pressure Nitrogen Generator → Containerized Nitrogen System →
Most end-use of compressed air is downstream — pneumatic automation, vacuum, and more. Those are reached from the Adjacencies section below.
7 Monitoring Measures what's actually happening — flow, dew point, leaks, air quality. ▸
Role in the system
Flow & Demand
Measures how much air the plant actually uses — the starting point for cutting waste.
Product type
Thermal Mass Flow Meter →
Role in the system
Air Quality
Confirms the air is as dry and clean as the application requires.
Choose by fit
Dew Point Monitor Verifying the dryers actually perform. → Ultrasonic Leak Detector → Air Quality Analyzer — ISO 8573-1 →
Role in the system
Pressure Sensing
Feeds pressure data back to the system for monitoring and control.
Product type
Pressure Sensor Basic system feedback and control. →
8 Service / MRO Keeps it running — replacement parts, drains, separators, lubricants. ▸
Role in the system
Compressor Service Parts
The wear items and consumables — oils, filters and replacement valves that keep an installed compressor running between rebuilds.
Choose by fit
Synthetic Compressor Oil → Food-Grade Compressor Oil → Compressor Oil Filter — Aftermarket → Compressor Intake Filter — Aftermarket → Compressor Intake Filter → Compressor Service Valve — Replacement →
Looking for a specific replacement part by OEM number? The Parts & MRO Cross-Reference Catalog is the faster path → (separate destination).
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Working on this system? You'll also need…

If you're… Generating N₂ from your compressed air
The full nitrogen package — generator, sizing, ROI
Nitrogen Generation add-on →
If you're… Installing outdoors / rooftop / tight space
A pre-engineered enclosed air system
Enclosed Air Systems →
If you're… Running machine automation downstream
Valves, cylinders and FRLs at point of use
Pneumatic Automation System →
If you're… Pulling vacuum at point of use
Vacuum generators and pumps
Vacuum System →
If you're… Buying any compressor
Compressor-grade oil + an annual service kit
Parts & MRO Catalog →
If you're… Looking up a part by competitor number
The in-stock cross-referenced equivalent
Parts & MRO Cross-Reference Catalog →
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Certification & application filters

Food & Pharma
ISO 8573-1 Class 1 filtration, NSF-rated oil & fittings
Hazardous Location
Class 1 Div 1 / ATEX-rated dryers and valves
High Purity / Instrumentation
Class 1:1:1 filtration, 316 SS distribution
Remote / Off-Grid
No-power deliquescent drying, portable units

Not sure how it all fits together?

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