Air Receivers

In an Industrial Air system, the air compressor is the machine that does the work of compressing ambient air, while the air receiver is a pressure vessel that stores that compressed air after it leaves the compressor. The receiver provides a reserve of air, helps smooth out peaks in demand and stabilises system pressure so your equipment can run consistently and efficiently.

To read more about the role of the receiver in the overall system, see the article What is an air receiver used for?

Industrial Air recommends sizing an air receiver by looking at both your compressor output and how your plant uses air. As a general guideline, they suggest allowing around 10 to 15 litres of tank volume for every CFM of compressor capacity. For example, a 100 CFM compressor typically needs about 1,000 to 1,500 litres of receiver capacity.

From there, you refine the size based on peak usage, how much your demand fluctuates, the pressure you need at the tools, the volume of air already stored in your pipework, and the type of compressor you are using. Systems with sharp peaks or reciprocating compressors often benefit from larger receivers, while some rotary screw compressors can operate with less storage. For a step by step walkthrough, refer to How to correctly size a compressed air receiver tank.

An air receiver is usually installed as part of a complete compressed air plant, so the exact installation will depend on your building layout, compressor type and piping design. Industrial Air emphasises that every plant installation is unique and should be engineered so the receiver is correctly positioned, securely mounted, piped into the system and fitted with drains, a pressure gauge and safety relief valve.

When you purchase a compressed air system from Industrial Air Systems, their in house projects team can plan and carry out the plant installation, including air receivers, to a professional standard. To learn more about this service, visit the Servicing and Support page.

Location depends on space and how your system operates. Industrial Air note that many smaller compressors are supplied already mounted on a receiver to save floor space, while larger compressors often use separate receivers. In some plants it is best to use several tanks, with a larger storage receiver close to the compressor and smaller receivers installed near points of use to stabilise pressure at critical equipment.

Receivers can be installed indoors or outside, but units located outdoors should be inspected regularly for signs of corrosion and maintained promptly to protect the vessel.

We highlight two key aspects of air receiver maintenance: draining condensate and staying compliant with inspection requirements. Without an air dryer, moisture can build up inside the tank, leading to internal corrosion, blocked piping and damage to downstream equipment. To avoid this, we recommend draining the receiver daily, ideally with an automatic condensate drain to remove moisture build up.

In New Zealand, air receivers must also follow inspection and certification requirements. We note that receivers typically need a thorough inspection at least every ten years to stay compliant and safe in operation, and we can arrange those inspections as part of our service offering. Alongside this, the receiver should always be fitted with correctly rated accessories such as a pressure gauge, safety relief valve and drain.