Size a compressed air receiver, or cost your system's leakage in £/yr from a simple decay test.
Receiver sizing per EngineeringToolbox / KAESER's mass-balance method; leakage per the US DOE Compressed Air Challenge Fact Sheet #7.
For design guidance only. Always verify with a qualified engineer.
About this compressed air receiver & leakage calculator
This free compressed air receiver & leakage cost calculator does two jobs behind a mode toggle: it sizes an air receiver (buffer vessel) from either a compressor's permitted switching frequency or a peak-demand event, and it costs a system's air leaks in £/yr from a simple decay test. It is aimed at UK compressed-air engineers, maintenance teams and energy managers wanting a quick receiver volume or a hard number on what leaks are costing. Everything runs in your browser. Nothing is uploaded.
How receiver sizing and leakage cost are calculated
Both features share one mass-balance formula, V = flow × time × patm ÷ Δp (EngineeringToolbox / KAESER). In switching-frequency mode the time is 3600 ÷ max starts per hour (the KAESER guideline: 120, 60 or 30 starts/hour by motor size); in event mode it is your peak-demand duration. Leakage runs the same formula in reverse on a decay test, isolate the system, run all demand off, and time the pressure drop, with the US DOE Compressed Air Challenge Fact Sheet #7 1.25 pressure-normalisation factor: leak rate = 1.25 × V × Δp ÷ (t × patm). Leak share of the compressor FAD is banded <10% (well-maintained), 10–20% and >20% (poorly maintained), and annual cost = leak rate × specific power × operating hours × electricity price.
Frequently asked questions
How do I run a decay (leak-down) test?
Charge the system to working pressure, isolate it with the compressor off and all demand valves closed, then time how long the pressure takes to fall by a known amount over a known system volume (receiver plus mains and pipework). Enter those figures and the DOE 1.25 factor is applied automatically.
What leak share is acceptable?
The US DOE benchmark treats under 10% of FAD as a well-maintained system; 10–20% is above benchmark; over 20% is poorly maintained and usually worth a leak-detection survey. The calculator bands your result and prices the wasted energy at your tariff.
What specific power should I enter?
The energy the compressor uses per unit of delivered air, a typical rotary screw is about 0.35–0.44 kW per l/s of FAD. Use your compressor's datasheet figure for the most accurate annual leak cost.