Compressed air, as its name suggests, is air whose volume has been reduced with the help of a compressor. Compressed air generates heat and its pressure increases.
Compressors suck in atmospheric air and compress it until it reaches a required pressure value that is higher than the atmospheric pressure it was at. This pressure value can be a few grams/cm2 above the atmosphere or many kg/cm2.
What is compressed air used for?
Compressed air is, together with electricity, the most widely used energy vector in the industry and we find it in our daily lives. It is used as a source of energy for different types of machinery and tools and, in the vast majority of cases, it is an important and well-integrated part of many production processes.
In industry it is used in two ways, as energy and as part of a process or as accumulated air. As an energy source, this air is used in the movement of machinery, actuators, blowing, braking systems, elevation, etc… and as accumulated air, for human breathing systems, blowing, ventilation, biological processes, etc.
Today compressed air is characterized by speed, ease of use and low cost. It is evident that other sources such as gas or electricity continue to be ahead because they have more applications than compressed air, but there are many applications that make use of this energy source.
Advantages of using compressed air
Combined with other energy sources, mainly electricity and hydraulic power, compressed air currently plays an important role in many industrial sectors, but it is also used in professional, semi-professional environments.
According to Altron Engineering we must pay great importance to the dangers of using compressed air and the potential injuries of not using safety equipment to work with it. However, there are many benefits to using compressed air.
What are the main arguments in favour of choosing an air compressor to support your activities?
We must pay great importance to the dangers of using compressed air and the potential injuries of not using safety equipment to work with it. However, there are many benefits to using compressed air.
Some of the non-manufacturing sectors where compressed air can be used are:
Power Generation: Startup of gas turbines, automatic control, emission control.
Distraction: In amusement parks, it is used in air brakes, also in hotel elevators, wastewater disposal, theatres, underwater exploration for air tanks, etc.
In Industries: Pneumatic tools, hoists, hospital breathing systems, climate control. Transportation: Pneumatic tools, hoists, air brake systems, etc.
Wastewater treatment: Vacuum filters, transportation, etc.
Agriculture: Farm machinery, material handling, crop spraying, dairy equipment, etc.
Mining: Pneumatic tools, pumps, controls and actuators.
What are the main arguments in favor of the use of compressed air?
- Low maintenance costs compared to other energy sources such as electricity.
- High loads can be used for long periods without the risk of overheating
- It is easy to store
- It is easy to transport
- It can be used in manufacturing processes that demand high cleanliness requirements.
- It is safer than using electricity as electrical equipment poses a safety hazard. Electrical shock or fire may occur causing damage or personal injury.
- Compressed air is more adaptable because it is simpler to use in mines and on construction sites and air tools run cooler thanks to their variable speed capabilities.
- Typically, compressed air is regarded as a clean and secure energy source that is readily applicable to a wide range of various industrial processes.
Compressed air applications
Over the years, it is evident that the use of compressed air becomes more recurrent and evident, which is why we find the use of this energy in our day to day. Did you know that compressed air is even in amusement parks?
For instance, compressed air drives the doors, brakes, and other essential safety features like the passenger restraint system on roller coasters. Additionally, it can be found in controllers that move props and launch systems in some video games.
Compressed air is also used for maintenance, pressure washers and other cleaning tools that are a great help in keeping the park and its attractions looking their best. You may not have been to an amusement park in a while, but on your way to work today, you may have seen a bus go by.
Compressed air also has a huge impact on your operation. You might believe that tyre inflation is the only application for air compressors. Not only that, but they also sand the metal exhaust pipes and are used in the manufacture of these tyres and the upholstery for the seats.
More importantly, compressed air is at the heart of the bus’s safety system. A compressor is at the heart of the air brake and suspension systems and also makes sure the airbag deploys in the event of a crash.
As we have read previously, they are used in the production of these tires, the fabric on the seats and the sanding of the metal exhaust pipes. More importantly, compressed air is at the heart of the bus’s safety system.
A compressor is at the heart of the air brake and suspension system and also makes sure the airbag deploys in the event of a crash. As we have been able to read previously the use of the However, that’s not all, they are used in the production of these tires, the fabric on the seats and the sanding of the metal exhaust pipes. More importantly, compressed air is at the heart of the bus’s safety system.
We would speak in this case of sectors such as pharmaceuticals or food. Compressed air is used in the following industrial sectors:
Compressed air applications in the pharmaceutical industry and dentistry
For these types of tasks in the health sector, the maximum purity and cleanliness of the air are required, since in this industry the need to maintain a sterile environment prevails.
Compressed air applications in the textile industry
In the industrial sector, pneumatic energy is used to put into operation various essential machinery for the manufacture of fabrics in a skilled and effective manner.
Compressed air applications in the chemical industry
In the chemical industry, compressed air comes into contact with the products, and therefore we need to maintain the purity and sterility required by certain chemical processes.
Compressed air applications in the automotive industry
In the car manufacturing sector, air is used to power the machinery necessary to manufacture and place the parts, and even to paint the body of the car.
Compressed air applications in the food industry
Working with food, the sector is very important that the compressed air is totally pure and does not have a trace of oil, since this could lead to contaminated or altered batches. Hence, it is necessary to clean the impurities in the circuit. Here we have broadly explained the most important aspects of compressed air.
