What is an Air Compressor & How Does It Work?
What is an Air Compressor
An air compressor is a mechanical device which uses an engine, usually powered by electricity, to convert mechanical energy into gas pressure energy. It is a device that generates compressed air pressure by compressing air and is the main body of the air source device.
Air Compressor Categories
The most common types of air compressors are piston-type, screw-type, centrifugal, sliding vane and rotary vane air compressors. Piston-type and screw-type air compressors are the most popular on the market. Piston compressors have been used since the dawn of mechanization, with many parts like connecting rod, piston, cylinder comprised in its design. However, due to the loud noise produced by piston compressors and too many easily damaged parts, they gradually have been replaced by screw compressors.
Air flow Chart of Air Compressor
After passing through an intake filter, the air is then passed through an intake valve into the main compressor body where it is mixed with injected cooling lubricating oil during compression. The oil-gas mixture of compressed air is then discharged from the compression chamber into a separator tank in which most of the lubricant is separated from the gas by forces such as collision, interception, and gravity. The resulting compressed air with low oil content then passes through a fine separator for secondary separation before being released to meet predetermined pressure values when the minimum pressure valve opens to release cooled compressed air into the system for use.
Air Compressor Industry Applications
An air compressor is used for a variety of applications, such as medical, factory, mine, tunnel engineering, well drilling and water extractions, pipeline tests and anti-corrosion rust removal. compressor.
Used as power for Industries
An air compressor is a device used to pressurize air in order to be used as power for mechanical and pneumatic tools, as well as control instruments and automation devices. Air compressors are also commonly used in automated machining centers, where they provide powering the replacement of cutting tools.
Used for separating and synthesizing gases
High-pressure compressors can be used to catalyze certain chemical reactions, such as the synthesis of helium from nitrogen and hydrogen, the synthesis of methanol from hydrogen and carbon dioxide, and the synthesis of urea from carbon dioxide and ammonia. Furthermore, air compressors can be used to produce polyethylene at high pressures.
Provides power in everyday life
An air compressor helps people to salvage sunken ships and inflate tires by converting air pressure into a form of kinetic energy.
Why use Air Compressor instead of Electric Power?
An air compressor is an apparatus used to convert power from electricity into compressed air. It is used to provide power for large equipment where electric power alone cannot meet the demands, and also reduce costs. Some special equipment such as those used in mines cannot use electric power, and even household gas needs an air compressor for transmission. While some devices may substitute for air compressors, using this device still provides cost savings overall.
