See the Data. Control the Costs.
Without accurate monitoring, it’s impossible to know how efficiently your compressed air system is really running. At PCM Engineering, our flow monitoring services give you the data you need to track demand, spot inefficiencies, and make smarter decisions that save money.
What Flow Monitoring Delivers:
- Real-Time Data – Continuous monitoring of air flow, pressure, and demand.
- Performance Insights – Identify peak usage times, wasted energy, and pressure drops.
- Custom Reporting – Easy-to-understand reports with actionable recommendations.
- System Optimisation – Adjust your compressors and pipework to match actual demand.
Benefits for Your Business:
- Cut energy waste and reduce costs
- Improve system reliability and performance
- Plan future system upgrades with confidence
- Support sustainability and carbon reduction goals
Know Your Air: PCM AIRPOWER Flow Monitoring Services
You can’t manage what you don’t measure. In a compressed air system, flow monitoring is the essential step that bridges the gap between estimated consumption and actual performance. PCM AIRPOWER offers professional flow monitoring services to give you unprecedented visibility into your system, unlocking opportunities for efficiency, capacity management, and significant cost reduction.
Why Flow Monitoring is Essential
Flow monitoring involves measuring the actual volume of compressed air (flow rate, typically measured in L/s or CFM being used over time. Without this data, you are operating blind, leading to costly assumptions about your air usage.
Key Benefits of Flow Monitoring:
- Pinpoint Energy Waste:
- Baseline Data: We establish an accurate baseline of your actual air demand profile across different shifts and days.
- Identify Wastage: By comparing compressor output (how much air is being made) with system demand (how much air is being used), we can precisely quantify standing waste, such as costly leaks.
- Accurate System Sizing and Management:
- Avoid Over-Sizing: Flow data reveals your true peak demand. This prevents the common and expensive mistake of installing an oversized new compressor, which often runs inefficiently.
- Optimise Storage: Data on peak demand and pressure fluctuation allows us to correctly size your air receiver (storage tank), improving system stability and reducing energy-intensive compressor cycling.
- Evaluate Efficiency Projects:
- Measure ROI: Flow monitoring provides the objective data required to measure the Return on Investment (ROI) for any energy-saving project, such as fixing leaks, optimizing pipework, or installing a Variable Speed Drive (VSD) compressor. You’ll have hard numbers to prove the achieved savings.
- Cost Allocation:
- Departmental Billing: In multi-department or tenant facilities, flow monitoring allows for accurate sub-metering, so you can correctly allocate compressed air costs to the actual consuming departments.
The PCM AIRPOWER Flow Monitoring Process
Our service uses state-of-the-art flow meters and data loggers installed non-intrusively in your compressed air line.
| Step | Description | Benefit |
| 1. Installation | PCM AIRPOWER technicians install highly accurate flow sensor probe into your distribution pipe work at strategic points (e.g., compressor outlet, main header, departmental feeds). The VP Flowscope logger will also provide temperature and pressure information as well as flow for a full picture of your compressed air system. | Quick to connect and detailed results. |
| 2. Data Logging | Data is logged continuously, typically over a 7-day to 14-day period, to capture a complete demand cycle, including weekends and off-shifts. | Captures crucial information on standing loss (leaks) and true peak demand. |
| 3. Analysis & Reporting | Our compressed air experts analyse the pressure, flow, and power data. We generate comprehensive reports featuring charts and graphs detailing: | Clear, actionable intelligence on system performance and required upgrades. |
| 4. Recommendations | We provide specific, actionable recommendations on leak management, equipment scheduling, pressure reduction, and system upgrades tailored to the measured profile. | A clear roadmap to lower operating costs. |
Flow Monitoring & Leak Detection
Flow monitoring is the perfect partner to leak detection.
- A dedicated leak survey (like our VP Flowscope) finds and quantifies individual leaks.
- Flow monitoring quantifies your total system loss by measuring the flow when production is shut down (the standing loss).
This dual approach gives you both the overall financial impact of leaks and the specific locations for repair.
Gain Control Over Your Compressed Air Costs
Stop guessing and start managing. With PCM AIRPOWER’s Flow Monitoring services, you gain the critical data necessary to make informed decisions that reduce energy waste and extend the life of your equipment.
Ready to see exactly where your compressed air energy is going?