Compressed air: for what and how is it used

Compressed air - the air mass, which is contained in any container, while its pressure exceeds atmospheric pressure. It is used in industry in a variety of manufacturing operations. A typical compressed air system is a plant operating at pressures up to ten bar. In such cases, the air mass is compressed ten times from its original volume.

general information

At a pressure of seven bars, compressed air is practically safe to operate. It is capable of providing a sufficient driving force of the tool no worse than an electric feed. This requires a smaller amount of costs. In addition, such a system is characterized by a faster response, which in the end result can make it much more convenient. However, this requires taking into account the parameters listed below.

1. The longer the compressor-consumer path, the more energy is expended.
2. Compressed air is very effective when there is a large number of similar operations, in this case there is an advantage over electrical installations. It is more effective to install an air cylinder than an electric motor.
3. It is necessary to constantly monitor the presence of leaks.
4. When using water, domestic gas, etc., we are already used to being economical, but when using this type of energy, many become wasteful, considering it free. It is necessary to constantly improve pneumatic systems in production, for example, in Western Europe, new nozzle designs are constantly appearing, in which air is consumed much less, and the noise level is significantly reduced.

Application of compressed air

Quite often, manufacturers use this type of energy to quickly and efficiently clean the equipment of dirt and dust. In addition, compressed air is widely used for blowing pipes in boiler rooms. In the wood industry it is used to clean rooms, equipment and even clothes from wood dust. Most countries already have standards for the use of this type of energy, for example, in Europe it is CUVA, and in the USA - OSHA. In addition to using it in production operations, tools that work directly on the air way are widely used: screwdrivers, pneumatic drills, impact wrenches, jackhammers (for equipment installation and construction), spray guns (during overhauls). In addition, compressed air in cartridges in pneumatic weapons is now widely used.

Security

Using compressed air, the safety measures listed below must be followed.

1. It is forbidden to direct a stream into the mouth, eyes, nose, ears and other places.
2. It is impossible to treat open wounds with compressed air, because under the skin bubbles can form, if they reach the heart, they will lead to a heart attack, and if to the brain, then they can provoke a hemorrhage into the brain. In addition, getting into the wound, air can enter into it an infection that is in the compressor system or in the pipes.
3. It is forbidden to indulge and direct a stream of compressed air to other people.
4. Do not pressurize the compressor system beyond normal.
5. All elements of the pneumatic installation must be carefully fixed in order to avoid detachments and, as a result, injuries.
6. It is forbidden to clean the equipment of dust and dirt in the presence of an open fire source and welding works. This can provoke an explosion due to the presence of dust in a suspended state.
7. Working with compressed air systems, it is necessary to use personal protective equipment, for example, glasses or a mask.
8. It is forbidden to tighten couplings, threaded joints, bolts in assemblies or on pipes under pressure.
9. When installing a pneumatic system, hoses should be fastened in places with the least risk of damage (on ceilings, walls).

Advantages of compressed air

Now let's consider what are the advantages of using this type of energy on production lines.

1. Pneumatic tools are characterized by low weight at a sufficiently high power.
2. Such installations can be used for a long time without overheating.
3. Low maintenance costs of the system.
4. Pneumatic compressors can be used as a source of energy in a fire hazardous industry with explosive and flammable substances (underground tunnels, mines).
5. These tools are suitable for workshops with a high aggressive environment. However, it must be taken into account that the operating temperature of the compressed air exceeds the ambient temperature by ten degrees Celsius. In addition, with increasing this parameter, the humidity of the air jet will also increase proportionally.
6. The use of pneumatic systems makes it possible to significantly simplify the automation of production processes. For example, such as drying, painting and others.
7. Reduces the downtime of equipment.

Compressed air systems

For optimum performance and high efficiency of the installation, the following requirements must be met. In the pneumatic system, losses should be minimized, in addition, the air must come to consumers drained and clean, this is achieved by installing a special dehumidifier that allows condensation of moisture. Also, special attention should be paid to the main pipelines. Proper installation of air ducts is a guarantee of durability of operation, as well as a reduction in maintenance costs. By increasing the pressure level in the compressor, it is possible to compensate for the drop in the pipeline.

Calculation of compressed air consumption

Compressor plants always include so-called receivers (air collectors). Depending on the capacity and capacity of the equipment, the system may contain several receivers. Their main purpose is to smooth out the pressure pulsations, in addition, the gas mass cools inside the air collector, and this leads to condensation loss. The calculation of compressed air is to determine the consumption of the receiver. Produced by the following formula:

• V = (0.25 x Q _{c x} p _{1 x} T ₀ ) / (f _max x (P _u -p _l ) x T _l ), where:
  - V - volume of the air receiver;
  - Q _c - compressor capacity;
  - p ₁ - pressure at the outlet of the installation;
  - T _l - maximum temperature;
  - T ₀ - temperature of compressed air in the receiver _;
  - (p _u -p _l ) - given load and unload pressure difference;
  - f _max is the maximum frequency.