What is Compressed Air?
4 August, 2022
Compressed air is all around us, but what is it exactly? Let us introduce you to the world of compressed air and the basic workings of a compressor.
Compressed air applications: What is compressed air used for?
Have you ever considered how frequently compressed air is found in our daily lives? It’s easy not to notice it, but it’s almost everywhere. Even when you are enjoying a holiday, whether it’s skiing during the winter or spending a spring day at an amusement park with your family, compressed air is likely helping make those experiences possible, often in ways you wouldn’t expect.
Take ski resorts, for instance. Snow machines rely on compressed air to blanket slopes with fresh snow throughout the season. But the influence of air compressors extends far beyond winter sports. They are integral to a myriad of industries, from powering medical devices and facilitating automotive manufacturing and repair, to enhancing operations in hospitality and the food and beverage sector.
What is compressed air used for?
Compressed air is used to power machinery, operate equipment, support industrial processes, and facilitate various tasks in industries such as manufacturing, automotive, amusement parks, DIY projects, dry cleaning, and more.
Where is compressed air used?
When you think about the examples above, you might wonder how compressed air applies to these situations. In industrial applications, it is used in two ways: as energy and as part of a process. These are referred to as Energy Air and Active Air respectively.
First of all, energy air is used for storing and transmitting energy in order to do mechanical work. More specifically, air compressors power pneumatic production equipment, operate lathe chucks, pressure-clean parts, and convey or cool components during production.
Active air, on the other hand, is required as an active and integral part of a certain process. In this case, the air comes in contact with the product. Therefore, depending on your industry, air quality is very important.
The clean, dry air quality, or CDA quality for short, can be enhanced by utilizing oil-free compressors and by treating the air. This occurs by using one of the many compressor quality air tools available, including filters and dryers.
This type of compressed air is used in the following industries:
- Chemicals
- Pharmaceuticals
- Food & Beverage
- Aeration and Agitation
- Semiconductor & Electronics
- Medical Breathing Air
In addition to these applications, you can find air compressor equipment in nearly every aspect of our lives.
Some compressed air applications in daily life
After reading the following information, it'll be hard for you to imagine how we could survive without air compressors. They're a part of more than you might think - beyond heavy industrial purposes.
Amusement parks
Have you been to a theme park lately? Chances are you encountered air compressors without even knowing it. In roller coasters for example, they power the gates, brakes and other crucial safety features like the passenger restraint system.
They are also present in the launch systems on certain rides and in the drivers that make props and animatronic figures move. Additionally, air compressors are used for maintenance and power washers, as well as other cleaning tools.
Automotive components
Maybe you haven’t been in a theme park in a while, but you're on your way to work. If you passed a bus, you guessed it - compressed air has a big impact on its workings. Initially, you might think air compressors are only used to inflate the tires. However, it doesn’t stop there.
They are used in the production of those tires, fabric on the seats, and sanding of metal exhaust pipes. More importantly, compressed air is at the center of the safety system, including air brakes and suspension. It also makes sure airbags get deployed in the event of a crash.
Car manufacturing & repair
If you need a new car, compressed air is used in automotive manufacturing, as referenced above, and repair. It's also used to paint, clean, and deliver that "fresh" look. Similarly, it's important for machinery to fix dents and dings. Additionally, you'll encounter pressurized air if your current car needs a new spray paint job.
DIY projects & house work
For DIY enthusiasts, you'll find an air compressor helpful for:
- home woodworking,
- carpentry,
- metalwork,
- and crafting.
It's also an integral part of garden work and landscaping. There are many ways it makes life more convenient, as many tools need high-power compressed air to operate and complete a job.
Dry cleaning
When dropping off your suit, jacket, or favorite dress for dry cleaning, compressed air is important for removing dirt and stains. It's used in the presses, steam cleaners, and other devices.
A compressor solution for every need
The wide range of applications involving compressed air is why there's a variety of models, sizes, and types of equipment offered. These span from industrial to small-scale projects.
We have additional articles further explaining which product is right for your needs.
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