Usually in machines, we use Electric Motors which help us in utilizing the amount of power supplied. Air compressor is a device that enables us to convert the power of these electric motors as well as diesel engines into Kinetic energy or energy possessed by a running body. We cannot directly use the power generated by the motors or engines to accomplish a task. The power needs to be converted first. The conversion process is carried out by compressing the air which is eventually to be released in quick successive thrusts.
This process is applicable to a large number of tasks. The most commonly used compressors are the Centrifugal Compressors. They are also termed as Radial Compressors. These compressors operate at high speed to generate high pressure. There are four components of a simple Centrifugal Compressor. They are Inlet, Impeller, Diffuser and Collector. Amongst all these, the key component is the Impeller. It is basically the set of rotating Blades that raises the energy of the working gas.
The three major classification of Air Compressor:
This type of Air compressor is used in case of Gas turbines, pipeline compressors of Natural gas, Auto-motive engines and Diesel-engine turbo chargers, oil refineries and also in Air conditioners as well as in refrigerators. Hence, it has a large amount of importance in various sectors.
Another important classification of Air Compressor is the Rotary Screw Compressor. It follows a positive displacement mechanism and is commonly used in place of piston compressors. Usually these compressors are compact and run quite smoothly without much of vibration. Generally, they are used operate high-power air tools or in large industrial unit. Recently, surveys have shown that this type of Air compressor is vitally used in treatment of Municipal waste-water.
The third major type of Air compressor is the Turbo Compressor which is also known as the Axial Compressor. It is a pressure producing machine which produces a continuous flow of compressed gas at a decreasing rate. These machines are highly efficient but at the same time complex and expensive as compared to other Compressors such as the Centrifugal ones. The Axial Compressor is used in High-speed ship engines, Jet Engines, and small scale power-stations.
The Compressed Air efficiently drives the Air Tools
Now after the air is compressed by the Compressors, it helps the Air-tools to perform. The Air tools are also known as pneumatic tools. Also there are Air-tools that run with the help of compressed carbon dioxide which is supplied through the gas cylinders. The Air tools are much safer and cheaper than the electric tools. They have an efficient configuration and the work performance does not depend upon the size. A petty looking Air tool can perform large tasks. RPM, Air Pressure, Air Consumption and Horse power are a few technical terms which you need to feed in your brain to meet the job requirements.
Air-tools and Air compressors are duly inter-related and together help in the better performance of a machine. In case of Engines, Jets and Ships it is very important to have an efficient set of tools. Similarly Compressor pumps are necessary as well. Oil-lubed and oil-less are the two types of pumps available. The oil-less pumps are however more efficient than the oil-lubed ones and the disposable air tools are however cheaper than the Industrial grade ones.
