When discussing air compressors, the terms and acronyms are unique to this technology. Air compressors are a series of systems, valves and other components that move air. Different measures and processes are involved. Here are the most important terms, acronyms and phrases related to air compressors.

Dynamic Type Compressors are those in which air is compressed by impellers that rotate to create velocity and pressure in the air. Impellers are rotating elements, usually blades, which use centrifugal force to create air pressure. A rotating compressor is also known as a Positive Displacement Compressor.

Positive Displacement Compressors are those that take air into a confined space. The space is reduced to create air compression. Reciprocating or rotating compressors fall into this category.

Reciprocating Air Compressors are those that use pistons that move in a reciprocating motion in a cylinder to compress air. A reciprocating compressor is also known as a Positive Displacement Compressor.

Duty cycle is an expression that represents the amount of time that a unit needs to cool down after being in operation for a specified amount of time. Most reciprocating air compressors are not made to run constantly.

Capacity is the air flow amount and is normally written as cubic feet. This is between an inlet flange and the discharge point of the compressor. Inlet pressure is the pressure at an inlet flange. Discharge Pressure is the total of gas pressure at the discharge point.

Demand refers to the requirements of air flow at a specific point or in the whole facility.

Intercooling is the process of cooling gases in compression to drop the temperature, reduce the gas volume, to turn vapors into liquids while saving power resources.

FAD (Free Air Delivered) or Actual Capacity refers to gas quantity that is compressed and then delivered to the discharge system.

CFM is an acronym that stands for Cubic Feet per Minute. An air compressor needs a certain CFM to operate properly. SCFM is an acronym for Standard Cubic Feet of air per Minute.

Desiccant is a moisture absorber that is used in conjunction with the process of adsorption. Adsorption is a process where the desiccant removes the moisture from compressed air.

The manuals that come with air compressors have the specifications and instructions required to operate the compressor. Refer to those manuals for safe and recommended procedures.

Industrial air compressors are a great choice for those that need compressed air in many separate areas of their business at once. While portable air compressors are useful for small jobs, a well placed, well connected industrial air compressor can offer significant increases in productivity. This is due to their increased pressure allotted over portable models and the ease with which a worker can obtain compressed air from the network of pipes that are connected to the stationary unit.

When deciding to install a stationary industrial air compressor, it is important to note a variety of factors that could impede performance or degrade the components of your unit. Appropriate placing is important for a variety of these factors. A well placed unit should first have access to enough actual cubic units of incoming air flow. This amount varies from unit to unit, but a standard 1000 cubic feet of air flow per 5 hp of the compressor's motor rating is necessary. When placing the unit it is also a good idea to make sure the motor and functional parts are placed to allow for easy maintenance access.

Temperature is also important to be aware of as temperatures below 32 or above 100 degrees Fahrenheit are conditions where the compressor could be under undue amounts of stress, leading to early malfunction. Dust and humidity present in the air can also be an issue, as any humidity in the air is transferred through the air compressor being used by the workers, potentially causing problems. Dust can be another factor in the early degradation of compressor parts.

Lastly you should consider noise when placing your unit. A poorly placed air compressor can severely impede work performance for those that are subject to it's noise. Reviewing local statutes on noise limitations and discussing placement with an experienced compressed air vendor is a good idea before placement.

Effective placing will prevent the compressor from shaking too much and will prevent any unnecessary maintenance in the future. Finally, consider the use of floor dampeners along the anchoring areas of the unit to further reduce noise, vibration, and any possible damage to the floor or your industrial compressor unit. Units that do not use floor dampeners can create unnecessary stress on the unit due to vibrations. By using these floor dampeners, not only will the compressor be relieved of stress, but the sounds of the industrial air compressor will be muffled to a peaceful hum.

If your business requires an industrial air compressor, then you have two options: you can buy a new air compressor, or you can buy a used one. While it may be very tempting to buy a new air compressor, there are many advantages to buying on that has been used.

One of the biggest advantages of buying a used air compressor is that it can save your company thousands of dollars. A well-maintained used air compressor will make your work much easier and reduce the amount of time needed for a task. Because of that, your company will have more time to focus on other tasks, allowing you to finish them more quickly, and therefore completing jobs faster than before. The return you make because of your used air compressor can quickly make up for the investment you spent on it, much more quickly than that of a new air compressor.

Additionally, a used air compressor will frequently still be under warranty from when it was first purchased. As long as the warranty is still good, fixing broken compressors should not be a problem. Many used air compressors are sold by business owners that had cared for it originally, owners who knew how to take care of their equipment. This means that many used air compressors are in great condition, and can easily compare to new air compressors.

When you are looking for a used air compressor, certain things should be taken into consideration. You should always make sure the air compressor has clean, working parts. Check inside the compressor for sludge build up, missing parts (like pistons, hoses, and rings), and to see how well it has been taken care of. If there are a lot of scratches and dents on the body of the compressor, its parts may be damaged as well. If the compressor you are thinking about buying needs repair, figure out how much money will be needed to repair it. It could be worth the investment to buy an air compressor that needs a little fix, because it may still be cheaper than buying a new air compressor. If the seller is asking too much money for it, try negotiating. Many people who sell used industrial air compressors have no idea how these machines are valued, and may be unaware how much repairs may cost. Negotiating is a great way to get a more appropriate price.

Buying a used air compressor can be a better decision than buying one brand new; however, it is important to be careful and know what you are buying. Do your research before making the purchase, and you will be sure to make the right decision.

Moisture can run through an air compressed air system’s hoses and into the unit, which can cause damage that can be quite costly, especially from repairs. Fortunately, refrigerated air dryers are units that remove moisture from compressed air systems. In order to maintain a compressed air system, installation of an appropriately sized refrigerated air dryer is necessary.

A common entry point for moisture is the air compressor’s inlet air filter. Standard air compressors can convert seven cubic feet of air to 100 psig per single cubic foot, making any water vapor in the air also compressed to that size.
Water that winds up contained in compressed air comes in different forms, including liquid, mist and vapor or gas. A general purpose filter can be used with a compressed air system in order to remove the liquid water within the system, with the remaining water that is either a mist or vapor being removed by the refrigerated air dryer.

Refrigerated air dryers also prevent equipment contamination located downstream from the air compressor. Water contamination can cause moving parts to fail, with the holding capacity of moisture in the air reduced by fifty percent when the air temperature drops at fifty degree levels. This can lead to costly repairs.

The refrigerated air dryer’s process begins with the use of an air-to-air heat exchanger, which first cools the compressed air. The heat exchanger condenses small amounts of moisture by pre-cooling incoming air and sending it to an air-to-refrigerant exchanger, which is cooled even further by use of a liquid refrigerant. Remaining moisture is condensed into a liquid that is drained out of the system. Air is finally heated inside the heat exchanger to prevent the hose’s pipe from sweating.

When searching for the right refrigerated air dryer, keep in mind of the pressure dew point. The pressure dew point is a temperature required in order for water vapor or mist to condense into liquid. The type of pressure dew point class most often used is a Class 4. In order to determine the pressure dew point class and temperature requirements, have a test of equipment performed.

Compressed air is a great tool to use in the workplace. It delivers energy and power to tools such as nail guns, pneumatic drills, and even jackhammers. When dealing with a large worksite, you are going to need to deal with a large compressed air unit, or an industrial air compressor. These large sized compressors are equipped to handle any job put in front of them, so long as they are outfitted with the proper equipment. This is where an industrial air receiver comes into play. These large tanks fill with air inside the unit and are often used to decrease wear and tear on a compression module.

Control storage is an important function of a compressed air system. The main purpose of control storage is to optimize the effective operation of the compressor control. Essentially control storage is any storage generated between the onset of air compressor discharge and before any cleanup equipment. While control storage overlaps in its purpose with demand (dry) storage it differs in the location of the storage and its usefulness. Often, compressed air design systems manage to combine the key functions of both control and demand storage enhancing its effectiveness.

Reducing the pulsations from the compressor discharge is the fundamental reason why a control storage with reciprocating air compressors is used. Removing condensates through condensation and settling and removing short cycling of the compressor controls is another fundamental reason they are used.
There are two different locations of air receivers, wet ones and dry ones. Wet receivers are great for additional storage and reducing moisture. Removing moisture in the system downgrades the load on filters and dryers. Wet receivers refer to a storage tank placed right after the compressor. Usually this type is used to help with reducing pulsation and pressure stabilization. On the other hand, dry receivers are good for when large air demands pop up unexpectedly. As for sizing, the size of an air receiver depends on air usage, as well as compressor style.

Installing air receivers can be a tough task, but with careful attention you can have yours working correctly. Wet receivers have to be installed opposite or downstream of the moisture separator. Dry receivers are often installed after purification equipment. Remember that every air receiver should be on a sturdy foundation to keep it safe, also allowing for space and preventing it from rusting. After installation, keep in mind that moisture should be drained often. Compressed air receivers allow the addition of receiver accessories and safety relief valves are required. Every receiver has a drain in order to eliminate any added up moisture, either manual or automatic.