The Use of Compressed Air in Industry

-

Although it is perhaps not one of the better known 'tools of the trade', it may come as a surprise to many people, how wide the use of the industrial air compressor is in a wide variety of industries.

From the health sector to mining, industrial air compressors are playing an increasingly important role in industry. Whilst this may surprise some, there are a good many reasons why this is the case.

Compressed air is easy to store and is usually contained in large tanks, taking up little room in a factory or yard. Compressed air can be especially useful, and important, in an environment that is potentially hazardous; a good example of this is in the mining industry, where the use of electrical machinery could ignite explosive gases, causing injury or even loss of life. As they expel only pure compressed air, there are no toxic fumes or other chemicals to be concerned about either, which is one of the more obvious appeals to the health sector.

Before buying an industrial air compressor, it is important to consider your actual needs, as buying too large a compressor can be an expensive move. There are a wide variety of sizes to choose from so you should select the one most appropriate to your industry, bearing in mind the amount of usage it will get.

We have covered a few examples above, of industries in which compressed air may be used, but in general terms only. Below are a few examples of actual uses of compressed air which will help to emphasise the important role it has to play in many different types of industry.

Construction
Compressed air is used for many on site demolition tools and also for compacting concrete. It is also often used to convey bricks and stones from factories.

Mining
Industrial air compressors are used to power drilling machinery such as industrial sized hammers and chisels. It is also used in the mining ventilation system, an obviously important aspect of the industry.

Agriculture
Compressed air is often used to transport food and grain to the silos, in which it is stored, and also provides ventilation in industrial glasshouses.

Health Industry
Many of us will be familiar with the sound of the dentist's drill; a good example of its use in the dentistry trade. It is also used in hospitals for the extraction of anaesthetic gases and also respiration systems.

Traffic Industry
Most of us will probably be aware of the role that compressed air plays in heavy goods vehicle brakes, but it is also widely used in signal systems and rail barriers too.

Micheal Richards is writing on behalf of Excel Compressors, specialists in Compressed Air Equipment and Industrial Air Compressors.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_P_Richards
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6891840

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Air compressors work - Compression process

-
Image
To understand how to save the energy in compressed air system , it is useful to start with theory background of how the air compressors work and how the energy is consumed. As we know from Thermodynamic principle that the compressor work is, where: rev = reversible in = input Our objective is to minimize the air compressor work that means to approach the reversible process i.e. minimize the friction, and turbulence Practical way to do this is to make v (specific volume) small by maintaining T (temperature) at low temperature during compression because v a T. In other words, to reduce the work input to a compressor, air should be cooled as it is compressed. Effect of Cooling Isentropic process: No cooling during compression Polytropic process: Involve some cooling Isothermal process: Involve maximum cooling Which process yields the minimum required compressor work? Let's consider the following equations of each process. Assumptions: All three processes are executed between the same...
Read more

Energy saving - How to calculate the cost savings

-
Image
The electric motor is usually the prime mover of the air compressors. Therefore, to save the energy of compressed air system is to save the energy consumption of the electric motor. Energy saving of the electric motor can be written as shown in the following formula Thus, Cost savings = Energy savings x Unit cost of energy
Read more

Tips to Reduce Compressed Air System Pressure Drops

-
Ask a Question: What causes pressure drops in my compressed air system and how can I reduce them? Answer: Pressure drop can become a compressed air system problem that steals production time and money. What causes pressure drops? Any type of obstruction, restriction, or roughness in the system will cause resistance to air flow and cause pressure drop. In the distribution system, the highest pressure drops usually are found at the points-of-use, including undersized or leaking hoses, tubes, disconnects, filters, regulators and lubricators (FRLs). On the supply side of the system, air/lubricant separators, aftercoolers, moisture separators, dryers and filters can be the main items causing significant pressure drops. The maximum pressure drop from the supply side to the points-of-use will occur when the compressed air flow rate and temperature are highest. Your Compressed Air System components should be selected based upon these conditions and the manufacturer of each component should b...
Read more