Compressed Air System For Industrial Use
A Compressed Air System is needed to provide energy in the form of highly pressurized air to drive Pneumatic Machines, Air Tools, HVAC Control Systems etc. It is widely used in the manufacturing, marine and aerospace industries because of their huge reliance on compressed air.
A Compressed Air System generally consists of a few components namely, Air Compressor; Air Receiver Tank, Air Dryer and also Oil/Water Separator (Optional). All the components are interconnected with Air Pipes and Drain Lines. Auxiliary equipment like Line Filters may also be incorporated into the system.
How does an air compressor work?
An air compressor is a mechanical machine that compresses atmospheric pressure /surrounding air to a higher pressure by reducing its volume. There are many different types of air compressors: Piston, Rotary Screw, Centrifugal, Scroll & Diaphragm. Each of them has their own unique design and usage.
Rotary Screw Compressor
Rotary Screw type air compressors are now increasingly popular in the generally industries worldwide mainly because of their better efficiency and thus, low power consumption.
A Rotary screw air compressor uses two meshing helical screws, known as rotors to compress the air. Gas enters at the suction side and moves through the threads as the screws rotate. The meshing rotors force the gas through the compressor, leaving highly pressurized air at the screw ends. Rotary screw compressors are compact and smooth running with lower vibrations. There are two kinds of Rotary screw air compressor: Oil-flooded and Oil-free.
Air Receiver Tank
Air Receiver Tank is needed in a compressed air system. Its purpose is to serve as an air reservoir to meet high air demand surges and also to ensure smooth and continuous pulse-free compressed air supply at the downstream.
Air Dryer
The air dryer is used in the compressed air system to remove moisture in the hot compressed air generated from the air compressor. There are basically two main types: Refrigerated and Desiccant air dryers.
Oil/Water Separator
Oil/Water Separator is required if your air compressor is oil-flooded in which minute particles of oil content will be present in the compressed air condensation. It serves to separate the oil particles from the water condensate before exiting to the drain points. In this way, it protects the environment.
Interconnecting Air Piping
The Air Piping serves as compressed air network passage from upstream to downstream. Different sizes and materials of the Air Piping will be chosen for the air volume flow rate and pressure requirements.
Main Line Filters
The main line filters are usually placed in the compressed air system to protect the air dryer as well as to remove dirt, rust , oil and water particles from the compressed air.
