Certain conditions must be known or determined to choose the right type of compressor like in Fluid-Aire Dynamics for example and associated equipment. A precise assessment of the real needs will allow optimal use of the selected system in terms of capacity and budget.
Basic Requirements
The following factors should be considered when designing a compression system:
- How much is compressed air required to perform the proposed task?
- During which operating cycle is compressed air used?
- What is the required water, oil, and particulate content in compressed air for related equipment?
- What is the working pressure required for related equipment?
3 Piston Compressors
A reciprocating compressor like Compressed Air Aluminium Piping Systems consists of one or more cylinders with pistons driven by an engine. Air is drawn into the cylinder and then compressed in one or more stages to operating pressure. After compression, the air passes through the aftercooler and continues to the air tank.
The Piston Compressor
Lubricated And Oil-Free:
The cylinders, pistons, and crankshaft of an oil-lubricated compressor are lubricated by the oil that circulates through the compressor. The compressed air produced by an oil-lubricated piston compressor contains a certain amount of residual oil. Oil-free piston compressors has permanently lubricated bearings – greaseless ring pistons, usually made of Teflon or carbon fiber.
Fields Of Application:
Reciprocating compressors are particularly suitable for applications with low compressed air requirements – around 8 bar for single-stage compressors, and up to 30 bar for multi-stage models.
The operation should be intermittent. After 2 minutes of compression, the compressor must remain idle for at least 1.5 minutes. Max is pressing time per day is about 4 hours.
4 Screw Compressors
The screw compressor compresses the air in a space between two rotating screws rotating in opposite directions. The operation of a screw compressor is essentially based on two principles: liquid injection or drying. These two versions are available in single-stage and two-stage models.
The Screw Compressor
In a liquid-injected screw compressor, the compressed air is cooled by a coolant in the compression chamber between the screws, usually oil. It is mixed with air before compression. Immediately after compression, the coolant is separated from the compressed air in the oil separator. The compressed air flows through an aftercooler before being routed to the air tank.
7 Technical Information
Examples of common machines used with compressed air
- Drilling machine
- Angle grinder
- polishing machine
- impact wrench
- Chisel hammer
- Varnisher
- Pressure washer
- Spray gun
- free throw scraper
- Filter mask, light or intensive work
Classification of compressed air quality according to use
There is an ISO standard for classifying the content of compressed air in terms of solid particles, water, and oil. It has established the requirements adapted to different uses, including:
- Air circulation
- Air motors, large or small
- Air turbines
- Pellet transport
- Powder transport
- Foundry machinery
- Contact with provisions
- Industrial pneumatic tools
- Mining machinery
- Packaging machinery
- Machines for the textile industry
- Pneumatic cylinders
- Film handling
- Precision regulators
- Treatment instruments
- Sandblasting
- paint spray
- Welding machines
- Workshop air, general