Compressed Air Applications: Where is compressed air used?
5 May, 2023
Compressed air is all around us, but where is it used exactly? Discover the different ways compressed air is used and how it impacts our everyday lives.
Powering Everyday Applications
Compressed air is a fundamental force in our world, silently powering countless applications. From the bounce in your basketball to the efficient operation of factories, its influence is everywhere. This article dives deep into the world of compressed air, explaining what it is and how it's created.
To learn more about air in general, please read this article as an introduction.
Compressed air is all around us, from inflating your car tires to powering the tools that built your phone or computer. It's simply regular air squeezed into a smaller space, increasing its pressure. This process, called compression, heats the air molecules (like inflating a balloon).
Despite electricity's cost-effectiveness, compressed air offers unique advantages:
So, while electricity might be more efficient for some applications, compressed air remains a valuable tool due to its versatility and safety.
Maintaining your compressed air system is essential for extending its lifespan and ensuring consistent performance. Here are a few simple tips to keep your air compression system running smoothly:
Check for Leaks: Air leaks can be a major source of energy loss in your compressed air system. Regularly inspect fittings, pipes, and connections to identify and fix leaks, ensuring maximum efficiency.
Change Filters Regularly: Filters prevent contaminants from damaging your system, but they can get clogged over time. Replace filters as recommended to maintain optimal air quality and system performance.
Monitor the Air Dryer: Moisture can cause serious issues in your compressed air system, so regularly check and maintain your air dryer. Make sure it’s functioning properly to keep your system dry and free from corrosion.
Inspect the Compressor: The air compressor is the heart of the system, so it's important to regularly inspect and service it. Keep an eye on oil levels (if applicable), check for unusual noises, and ensure it’s operating within the recommended parameters.
By following these simple tips, you can ensure that your compressed air system remains efficient, reliable, and cost-effective.
Learn more on How to improve and maintain the air quality of your compressed air system.
Whether you know it or not, compressed air is involved in every aspect of our lives, from the balloons at your birthday party to the air in the tires of our cars and bicycles. It was probably even used when making the phone, tablet or computer you’re viewing this on.
The main ingredient of compressed air is, as you might have already guessed, air. Air is a gas mixture, which means it consists of many gases. Primarily these are nitrogen (78%) and oxygen (21%). It consists of different air molecules that each have a certain amount of kinetic energy.
The temperature of the air is directly proportional to the mean kinetic energy of these molecules. This means that the air temperature will be high if the mean kinetic energy is large (and the air molecules move faster). The temperature will be low when the kinetic energy is small.
Compressing the air makes the molecules move more rapidly, which increases the temperature. This phenomenon is called “heat of compression”. Compressing air is literally to force it into a smaller space and as a result bringing the molecules closer to each other. The energy that gets released when doing this is equal to the energy required to force the air into the smaller space. In other words it stores the energy for future use.
Let’s take a balloon for example. By inflating a balloon, air gets forced into a smaller volume. The energy contained in the compressed air within the balloon is equal to the energy needed to inflate it. When we open the balloon and the air gets released, it dissipates this energy and causes it to fly away. This is also the main principle of a positive displacement compressor.
Compressed air is an excellent medium for storing and transmitting energy. It’s flexible, versatile and relatively safe compared to other methods for storing energy, like batteries and steam. Batteries are bulky and have a limited charge life. Steam, on the other hand, is not cost effective nor user friendly (it gets extremely hot). When comparing compressed air with electricity however, electricity is more cost efficient. If this is true, why use compressed air?
The temperature of the air is directly proportional to the mean kinetic energy of its molecules. In simple terms, when the molecules move faster, the air temperature rises. When they slow down, the temperature drops.
So, how does air compression work? When you compress air, you force its molecules into a smaller space. This increased density makes the molecules move faster, increasing their kinetic energy and, therefore, the temperature. This is known as the "heat of compression." Essentially, you're storing energy in compressed air for future use by squeezing it into a smaller volume.
Take the example of a balloon: when you inflate a balloon, you're forcing air into a smaller volume. The energy stored in the compressed air within the balloon is equal to the energy you used to inflate it. When you release the balloon, the compressed air escapes and causes it to fly away. This is the same principle that positive displacement compressors use to compress air.
Compressed air is a fantastic medium for storing and transmitting energy. It’s versatile, flexible, and relatively safe when compared to other energy storage methods, like batteries or steam. Batteries are bulky, have limited charge cycles, and lose efficiency over time. Steam, while powerful, isn’t cost-effective or user-friendly (due to the extreme heat involved).
But how does compressed air compare to electricity? While electricity is generally more cost-efficient, compressed air has its own advantages, especially in industrial settings where safety, power, and versatility are critical.
One of the key reasons for using compressed air instead of electricity is safety. In certain applications, especially when equipment is overloaded, electrical equipment may pose a safety risk, including electrical shocks or fire hazards. On the other hand, compressed air and pneumatic tools can be safely used in environments with wet floors or high humidity, where electricity may not be practical.
Another advantage of compressed air is its flexibility. It is ideal for use in remote areas such as mines or construction sites, where electrical power may not be readily available. Air compression tools, such as rock drills, run cooler and provide variable speed and torque, making them more suitable for heavy-duty applications in these environments. Achieving similar force with electricity would be difficult, especially in remote areas.
Compressed air-powered tools are also lighter. They can be made from materials that reduce weight, making them more ergonomic and reducing worker fatigue. This balance between the cost of compressed air and labor costs helps improve efficiency on job sites where tools are used for extended periods.
When it comes to cost, while the energy cost of compressed air can be higher—up to 7 or 8 times that of electricity—the equipment designed for compressed air use tends to be less expensive. Pneumatic tools typically have fewer parts and simpler designs, making them more durable and rugged, particularly in production environments.
Did you know compressed air is considered the fourth utility? Alongside water, electricity, and gas, compressed air has become essential for both small businesses and large enterprises due to its widespread use.
A compressed air system consists of various essential components that ensure efficient, reliable operation. These components work together to produce, treat, and deliver compressed air to the point of use. Below are the key components:
Air Compressor: The core of the system, the air compressor takes in ambient air and compresses it to a higher pressure. Whether you're using rotary screw, reciprocating, or centrifugal compressors, the role remains the same—producing compressed air for your application.
Air Receiver Tank: This tank stores compressed air and helps balance supply with demand, ensuring a steady flow of air while reducing pressure fluctuations within the system.
Air Dryer: Moisture is a common issue in compressed air systems. An air dryer is used to remove excess moisture from the compressed air, protecting downstream equipment and preventing corrosion. Popular types include refrigerated and desiccant dryers.
Filters: Compressed air filters are crucial for removing contaminants like oil, dust, and water from the system. Keeping your air clean ensures the longevity of your tools and the reliability of your system.
Chillers: In some compressed air systems, heat generated from air compression needs to be managed. Industrial chillers are used to cool the compressed air, improving efficiency and preventing overheating of equipment. Chillers are essential in maintaining the optimal temperature of the system and ensuring consistent performance.
Each of these compressed air system components, including chillers, plays a critical role in ensuring your system operates effectively, delivering the required air pressure and quality.
Together with electricity, water and gas, compressed air keeps our world running. We may not always see it, but compressed air is all around us. Because there are so many different uses for (and demands of) compressed air, compressors now come in all kinds of different types and sizes. In this guide we outline what compressors do, why you need them and what types of options are available to you.
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