Industrial Uses for Air Compressors

The world of industry has long relied upon the safe, energy-efficient and high-output capabilities of air compressors. When managed properly, these provide a near-constant flow of controlled air streams only restricted by maximum temperatures and machine operating pressures. Most industrial rotary screw compressors can run around the clock as long as temperatures do not exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius), and their parts are cooled and lubricated with oil, water or additional air injection. Industrial compressor units typically range from 10 to 500 horsepower. With all this in place, the most common industries to utilize these compressors are as follows:

1. Construction

Construction industries use air compressors for a range of pneumatic tools and equipment. Depending on the construction task at hand, variable flow streams will be needed, and rotary screw air compressors will be found in jackhammers, nail guns and compactors. This industry’s air compressor uses also cover powering other portable tools, as compressors offer a mobile power source that won’t overheat or unexpectedly surge. In both indoor and construction sites, this is an essential safety element. The construction industry cites these compressors as the most efficient sources for bulk drilling, handling and lifting operations. They power dozens of these equipment types across various sectors like infrastructure development, road building, demolition, as well as commercial and residential projects big and small.

2. Manufacturing

Perhaps no industry relies on the multifaceted nature of compressed air as much as manufacturing. From plastics and metal fabrication to food, beverage and pharmaceutical packaging, rotary screw equipment not only enhance manufacturing productivity — they are at its core. In food and beverage and pharmaceutical manufacturing, contaminant-free and tightly sealed products are mandatory. Rotary screw equipment delivers that clean seal while also powering things like conveyor belts, sprayers, presses and packaging. Applications of this equipment also extend to plastics and other moulding and shaping manufacturing. Steady and robust air streams provide product finishes as well as formings and cleanings.

3. Agriculture

Farming operations require long days and heavy, expensive machinery. Some of these machines that sit at the heart of agriculture include tractors, sprayers and pumps and crop conveyors — all of which are powered by various air compressors. Other contemporary agriculture machinery, like those used in dairy farms and greenhouse ventilation, requires compressed air to distribute steady, clean air throughout parts. Compressed air can also be shot through pipes and irrigation systems to properly winterize them in colder agricultural regions, water-proofing their interiors and maintaining their quality and longevity.

4. Energy Sector

Oil drilling has found particular functionality in air compressors. In oil rig operations alone, dependable and safe drilling equipment is imperative to the safety of the crew. Even the smallest malfunctioning part or stalled power source can interrupt operations — or put the entire crew at risk. Beyond extracting oil, other rig tasks need secure and controlled energy sourced through air compressors. They are unique in their spark-free delivery and stable outputs, all of which are top of mind in operations as delicate and isolated as oil rigs.

5. Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC)

Rotary screw models are frequently built into the air-sourcing and heat pump systems of HVAC units. These parts routinely perform what’s known as vapour compression refrigeration, where the rotary screws compress air vapours, raising their temperature and modulating the all-important refrigerant cycles that signal the cooling of HVAC systems. This relationship is the central function of many HVAC units and allows for their personalized temperature adjustments. Whether HVAC units control the climate of large-scale warehouses or cozy residential apartments, they rely on numerous rotary screw systems and air compressors daily. Source: kaishanusa