Types and Uses of Air Compressors

So, whether you happen to be riding your bike or whether you simply need to fill the tires, or even if your refrigerator isn’t working well, the air compressor will definitely be of use at some time or the other in your life. Yes, air compressors have been used within the industry for more than a 100 years now, as air has always been considered to be a safe, clean, convenient and flexible resource. Over the years, air compressors have evolved into extremely reliable devices that have now become almost indispensable in many applications that they could serve.

But, what is an air compressor?

An air compressor is just what its name suggests: a certain amount of air or a tank that has been compressed and stored and can be used later. This also acts as its main function and all portable air compressors are used for precisely this reason. From inflating balloons and pumping air into your tires to delivering oxygen directly into the human body, air compressors have a wide variety of uses. Most people take the role and functioning of the air compressor for granted, but if at all you happen to be stranded in the middle of nowhere with a flat tire, then you’ll probably wish you had carried your air compressor along with you.

Air Compressors: What are they used for?
The uses of air compressors are wide and varied. As mentioned above, there are so many different uses for air compressors, some that you may have not even imagined! Most of the uses of air compressors have already been mentioned, but one particular use has not been mentioned – up until now. The idea in question is the role that air compressors play in the world of scuba diving!

Yes, air compressors are also used to deliver air to scuba drivers and to deliver oxygen to them when they are below sea level. In addition, the air conditioners that most of us use during those long, hot months of summer also utilize air conditioning compressors as their main energy source, and this is what helps them cool the surrounding areas.

However, these are just a few of the uses of air compressors. Some of the other important uses would be in engines wherein air compressors are used in the cooling and heating systems. What’s more, they are also use in some of those large power plants that deliver energy to machinery.

Types of Air Compressors
There are many different types of air compressors available in the market today. They come in a wide range of sizes and types. Here are some of the most common air compressors that you will come across today:

• Piston compressors or reciprocating compressors – These are the most common types available in the market today. Basically, they are positive displacement compressors and are generally found in wide ranges that vary from fractional to very high horsepower. They work by pumping air into an air chamber and then reducing this chamber’s volume. The manner in which they work is very similar to that of an internal combustion engine but more or less in a reverse manner. They have pistons, valves, cylinders, housing blocks and crankshafts.
• Rotary Screw Compressors – These types work on the principle of air filling into a void that is present between two helical mated screws. As these screws are turned, the volume will be reduced, which results in increased air pressure. Most of these compressors inject oil into the compression area and the bearing. This is done for lubrication, cooling and even creating a kind of seal to reduce any leakage.
• Rotary Sliding Vane Compressors – like the piston and rotary compressors, these are also positive displacement air compressors. The pump is made up of a stator, rotor and 8 blades. The rotor is arranged in an eccentric manner within the stator and forms a crescent shaped swept area between the two ports. As the rotor makes its revolutions, compression will take place and the volume will go directly from maximum at the intake port to minimum at the exhaust port. Oil will be injected into the intake for cooling, lubrications and sealing the vanes.
• Centrifugal Compressors – These are not positive displacement air compressors like the others mentioned above. They make use of extremely high speed spinning impellers to accelerate the air, and then a diffuser in order to decelerate the air.

Yes, air compressors are indeed underrated, even though they can be very beneficial to each and every one of us. From oil air compressors and oil less air compressors to electric air compressors and gas air compressors to even portable air compressors and high-pressure air compressors, these are extremely useful tools and have a wide variety of uses!