Why Use A Compressed Air Regulator?

If you purchase a "do-it-yourself" type air compressor, or if you purchase any type of air compressor for that matter, check to make sure that it comes with an Air Regulator. If not, purchase one. You will be glad you did!
An air regulator is a device that lowers the downstream air pressure. Downstream air is the air that's moving from the regulator towards your application.
Compressed air will flow from the compressor reservoir into the air regulator (this supply is called upstream air) and through a system of an internal diaphragm and springs, the regulator will maintain a constant downstream air pressure level, despite changes in the upstream supply pressure from the tank.
Recognize that you can only use a compressed air regulator to increase the downstream air pressure up to the level of the upstream supply air pressure. An air regulator will not enable you to "dial up" the downstream air pressure higher than the upstream level.
However, if you can figure out how to do that, do let me know, and we'll both get rich! ;-}
You will want to set the downstream air pressure from your regulator at a pressure level that is below the lowest air pressure that will be incoming from your air compressor. Here's why.
The compressor maximum pressure set point is the pressure level inside the compressor receiver at which the compressor shuts itself off. This is also known as the "cut out" pressure.
When the cut out pressure is reached, the compressor stops compressing air. When you start to use compressed air from the compressor tank, the pressure inside starts to drop, and eventually the compressor will start again. This is the "cut in" pressure point.
As a result, your application, be it an air tool or an air brush, will "see" varying pressures from the tank as the compressor cycles on and off between the two set points.
For most applications, a varying air pressure supply isn't satisfactory and it is particularly problematical for folks that use compressed air to spray paint. Despite your best efforts with the air brush, if the supply air pressure is constantly changing, so too will the quality of your work.
This brings us back to the why you will always want to have an air regulator installed in the line between the compressor and your application.
If you set the downstream air pressure at a pressure level BELOW the cut in pressure level of the air compressor, in theory, the air pressure to your application should never change. As the air compressor goes through its normal cut-in and cut-out cycle your air regulator ensures that your downstream device will see a steady, non-fluctuating, supply of compressed air.
This is theoretical only, unfortunately. If your application consumes more compressed air than your compressor can generate, even though you have set your air regulator at a "safe" level, eventually the air pressure from the tank will fall below the level your regulator is set for, and the downstream device will see a steadily diminishing air pressure supply too; this even though your compressor may have cut-in, and is trying desperately to build up a supply of compressed air inside the tank.
This is why you really want to know how much air you need for your application to ensure that your air compressor has enough capacity to oversupply your needs. Check out details of this at ABOUT-air-compressors. com!
Know that air pressure regulators come with different levels of accuracy with the least accurate being, as you might guess, the least expensive.
Most general purpose compressed air regulators will have an accuracy of 3-5 PSI, meaning that the actual air pressure that your device is being supplied through the regulator will vary within that range, despite what it says on the gauge.
If you need more accuracy, opt for a precision regulator, and depending on the manufacturer, you may be able to get a downstream air pressure within a .5 PSI accuracy of the pressure reading on the gauge.
General purpose air pressure regulators normally have an operating range in the area of of 0 - 120 PSI. Others will be rated for pressures of 0-100 or 0-150 PSI.
You can also get air regulators with a narrower and more specialty oriented range of pressures such as: 0-10 PSI, 0-20, 20-60 PSI and so on. At the other end of the scale, you can purchase regulators that can safely handle many thousands of PSI.
For most do-it-yourself types, a general compressed air regulator with a range of 0-100 PSI will do just fine.

Bill Wade's experience in compressed air and other industries spans decades; from field sales positions through to the corporate presidential office. His sales agency represents a select group of industrial firms. Mr. Wade writes about all facets of compressed air at http://www.about-air-compressors.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bill_Wade

A Look at Industrial Air Compressors

Manufacturers and industry alike depend on the services of industrial air compressors. Most industries that use air compressors use high quality industrial-grade models. These models are different, more powerful and more expensive than ones that are used for lightweight jobs and for regular homeowners.
Industrial air compressors can be fueled by either natural gas or electricity. Most industries use natural gas to power their air compressors. Even though both types of energy used to run these industrial air compressors can be costly, many businesses find that using natural gas as a power source greatly reduces their utility costs.
Most industries use a two-stage type of air compressor for their needs. Generally speaking, this type of industrial air compressor is built for heavy-duty jobs. These offer a much higher level of air compression, as compared to smaller or compact models. Industrial air compressors usually also offer the ability to store unused air for future usage. These also can be more energy efficient because they run on a higher level of horsepower than other models; this increased usage of horsepower also creates a better working machine that is less likely to break down and requires less maintenance.
As with the purchase of any type of air compressor, those purchasing industrial air compressors need to be especially cautious of safety and quality standards. Very few industries are legally allowed to buy air compressors that are not certified by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Increased workplace safety and liability concerns have made it necessary for most companies to purchase high-quality, certified-devices to ensure the well-being of their employees. Some safety features may include a safety valve to use in the case of excess air pressure in the unit. The valve will automatically release air, therefore decreasing pressure, in the event of an overload of power. Without this safety device, users of the machine run the risk of causing an explosion.

Air Compressors Info provides detailed information about portable, industrial, engine-driven, 12 volt, and used air compressors, as well as air compressor parts, manufacturers, and more. Air Compressors Info is affiliated with Original Content.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Valentino

Screw compressor 3D

Airforce SW Ltd

 Take a look at the company i work for on my other blog their link to their site is there

http://airforcesouthwestltd.blogspot.com/

Atlas Copco Compressors

There are a lot of companies in the UK that offer compressors and other equipment such as mining equipment, generators, assembly systems and industrial power tools. These companies are all backed up by a first class nationwide distribution, sales, maintenance and service network.
They offer a large range the latest energy saving compressed air products some of these include:

• Separators
• Dryers
• Filters
• Dryers
• VSD Compressors
• Pipework
• Drains

They do not only offer systems for sale, their rental fleet offers the very latest in diesel driven, oil free equipment, also ancillary equipment and electric compressed air systems.
There is a big engineering workshop located in Hemel Hempstead that specialises in the build and design of engineered compressor packages, these packages are tailored to meet customers specific applications.
Although these companies are based in the UK their services often extend throughout the world with a lot of projects operating in the North Sea. Projects are undergone in other gas and oil installations world wide. Many of these companies have different service centres throughout the country, this ensures minimum downtime and maximum running efficiency.
Companies manufacturing compressors often also specialise in are Expansion Turbines and Turbo Compressors.
Customers throughout the world rely on these products in fact these customers span over more than 150 countries.
There are many different types of machinery and Compressor Manufacturers available, if you have any problems or are unsure what to purchase the companies always willing to help. Be sure to look around before making a decision.
One company that offer these services are Atlas Copco, however there are many more.

If you are in need of this service check out our product pages, they contain many companies that specialise in this. Wesley Clarke writes about Atlas Copco Compressors. Visit the Businessmagnet product page for details and suppliers of Atlas Copco Compressors.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wesley_C_Clarke

Airforce SW Ltd

This is the company i currently work for, anything you can think off to do with compressed air we will tackle big or small. We work all over the southwest from lands end all the way to Taunton and north Devon surrounding areas. Please take a look at the link below.


http://www.airforcesouthwestltd.co.uk/

Power Your Car Using Air!

Most of us have heard of the promised hydrogen economy. What hydrogen proponents aren't telling us is that hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are impractical. The reasons are numerous and include cost, infrastructure, reliability, safety ...
In all likelihood there will never be a hydrogen-based economy, at least not for the automobile industry and not in our lifetime. Most likely, there will be a variety of different technologies, led by plug-in electric vehicles and gas/electric hybrids.
One of the major drawbacks of fuel cell technology is that hydrogen is not used as fuel but instead is an energy storage medium. As a storage medium, hydrogen is very inefficient compared to other alternatives. For example, lithium-ion batteries provide better energy density, efficiency and the infrastructure is not a significant issue as compared to the distribution of hydrogen.
Besides than lithium-ion batteries, there are other energy storage options that are more practical and closer to realization than hydrogen fuel cells. One such option is compressed air . Compressed air vehicles have zero emissions, are inexpensive to produce and don't suffer the same magnitude of infrastructure development problems.
Competitively priced compressed air cars will be commercially available in the near future. In fact, Moteur Development International (MDI), the French manufacturer of compressed air vehicles, and Zero Pollution Motors (ZPM) are targeting a larger vehicle for the U.S. market in 2010. If rumors are true the car may have a range of 1000 miles utilizing a dual energy source.
The air car has some environmental advantages over other vehicle types. There are no battery disposal issues that an electric vehicle would have. Maintenance and part replacement will be required less often than for internal combustion engines simply due to the simplicity of the engine design. On the down side, the air technology does not function at lower temperatures.

Steve Auger is the author of an environmental blog entitled Blog On Smog and has posted several articles on green automotive technology.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Auger

Controlling The Dangers Of Compressed Air

There are two concerns in safety when using compressed air. (Flying objects and the air itself) Horseplay has been a cause of some serious workplace accidents caused by individuals not aware of the hazards of compressed air. Some television shows have shown bad examples on the use of compressed air.
Compressed air is extremely forceful. Depending on its pressure, compressed air can dislodge particles. These particles are a danger since they can enter your eyes or possibly the skin. The potential damage would depend on the size, weight, shape, composition, and speed of the particles. There have also been reports of hearing damage caused by the pressure of compressed air and by its sound caused by the nozzle.
Compressed air itself is also a serious hazard. On rare occasions, some of the compressed air can enter the blood stream through a break in the skin or through a body opening. An air bubble in the blood stream is known medically as an embolism, a dangerous medical condition in which a blood vessel is blocked, in this case, by an air bubble. An embolism of an artery can cause coma, paralysis or death. While air embolisms are usually associated with incorrect diving procedures, they are possible with compressed air due to high pressures. The consequences of even a small quantity of air or other gas in the blood can quickly be fatal.
Although many people know using compressed air to clean debris or clothes can be hazardous, it is still used because of old habits and the easy availability of compressed air in many workplaces. Cleaning objects, machinery, bench tops, clothing and other things with compressed air is dangerous. Injuries can be caused by the air jet and by particles made airborne.
When compressed air cleaning is unavoidable, hazards can be reduced. Use the lowest air pressure that is still effective to handle the task. A "quiet" nozzle should be selected. Personal protection equipment must be worn to protect the worker's body, especially the eyes, against particles and dust under pressure. Air guns should also be used with some local exhaust ventilation or facilities to control the generation of airborne particulates. The use of chip guards can deflect flying dust or debris, extension tubes will give the worker a safer working distance, or even air guns equipped with injection exhausts and particle collection bags are other options to consider in compressed air safety.

Brent Bowlin is a health and safety researcher who has helped businesses in implementing safety programs. For help contact him at abbsafetynet@gmail.com and for safety supplies and a safety program manual go to http://www.safetysuppliescanada.com, they deliver anywhere.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brent_A_Bowlin

Compressed Air Equipment

Air that is continually kept under a certain pressure is known as Compressed Air, the pressure that it is kept at is more than often higher than that of the earth's atmosphere. It is a fact that around 10% of electricity that is used around Europe is used by compressed air equipment to keep air compressed, that energy that is used adds per year up to 80 terawatt hours.
This equipment can cause certain hazards (dangers) like blasts under 40 psi from this equipment from close range can easily rupture an eardrum and in some extreme cases has the potential to cause brain damage, if for some reason the blast becomes directed to the mouth then this can cause a person's lungs to rupture. It is extremely important that these machines are used with due care and in controlled environments.
Compressed Air Equipment has many uses, some of which are:
Pneumatics - These are used on machinery for work and engineering.
Scuba Diving - This type of air is essential to inflate safety devices and buoyancy equipment; the breath gas cylinders carried by the diver also require pressurised air to work.
Gas Dusters - Some components you come across will not be possible to clean with the use of water, gas duster are an alternative.
Air Brakes - Automotive garages will use this equipment in the process of setting up air brakes.
There are many reasons for commercial companies needing this equipment, it all depends on the type of industry they are in, be sure to look around and read up on the products you are buying.

If you are in need of this service check out our product pages, they contain many companies that specialise in this. Wesley Clarke writes about Compressed Air Equipment. Visit the Businessmagnet product page for details and suppliers of Compressed Air Equipment.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wesley_C_Clarke