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Why is Compressed Air Useful?
The compressed air energy contained within a balloon is equal to the energy required to inflate it. The energy is stored as pressure.
When the balloon bursts, the pressure equalizes and the energy is released. This energy can be used to complete work.
How do they work? Just like an engine of a car, as the pistons rise, they press the air into a tighter space which creates pressure. CP compressors can have 1 stage or 2 stages of compression.
Single-Stage Piston air is compressed once and then discharged. Max Pressure = 130 PSI. Two-Stage Piston air is discharged once in a low pressure side and again in a higher pressure side before discharge. Max pressure = 175 PSI.
-Advantages of Piston Compressors:
- Low Price
- Easy to Understand
- Simple to Maintain
Duty Cycle: Piston compressors generate a lot of heat during the compression process, they are restricted to the amount of time they can operate. This is what we can the "duty cycle". Single-stage pistons normally have a 50% duty cycle and two-stage pistons have a 75% duty cycle.
Rotary Screw Compressors: Variable Speed Compressors Quiet Rotary Screw Compressors
Rotary screw compressors act like superchargers in a sports car. Two helical rotors match each other and rotate together. As they do, air is squeezed into a smaller and smaller cavity, creating increasing pressure. A thin film of oil lubricates the rotors and keeps them from overheating.
Advantages of Rotary Screw Compressors OVER Piston: - Runs cooler so it can operate continuously - More stable pressure - Air always available when you need it - Low sound level- 7 times quieter than a Piston - Better work environment for your team - Lower Oil Carryover - Reduces product contamination - BEST choice for painting - Better for the environment
To size the compressor, we need some basic information.
1. Maximum Operating Pressure: - Look at the pressure ratings on the equipment - Are there any known pressure issues?
2. Total Air Requirements (Total cfm) - Add up all the cfm ratings on the equipment (they are listed on all tools) - Do you want to wait on the compressor for air? - How many tools are you using at once? - Have existing compressors and storage tanks?
Calculate the Correct Air Requirements 1. Determine the total air requirements (in cfm) for all equipment 2. Make adjustments: - Add 10% for leaks and growth in business - Use consumption x 1.5 for piston compressor - Use consumption x 1.0 for rotary screw 3. Determine final air requirement in cfm for the equipment 4. Check your air requirements with the "benchmarks" below on the number of workers
You ask, we answer. Visit our Expert Corner for every #CPTechThursday to find answers to common industry questions and highlights of CP's high-quality compressors. We love providing our customers with answers to their technical questions.
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Please contact [email protected] for additional information. For tech support for any Chicago Pneumatic product, please call us at (877)861-2722, opt 1. Or email us at [email protected] . We look forward to helping.
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