Actuator Technology Center

Air compressors are mechanic devices that take in air and then compress and store it in a compressed form (meaning, it occupies less space than in its normal state). Air compressors are equipped with a tank that holds the compressed air inside. The tank is able to withstand all the pressure that the air applies inside it, but there are always signs that warn the user that damaging the tank can result in an accident.

One major difference between the various types of air compressors is that some of them are oil-lubricated while some others are not. Those that are not oil lubricated are also called oil-free compressors. Oil-free compressors boast the advantage that they don’t need oil in order to operate, while oil-lubricated compressors do. Additionally, oil-lubricated compressors need to have their oil changed after certain periods of operation.

Another difference that can be seen among air compressors is that some of them are stationary (meaning they are static or unmovable), while some others are designed from scratch to be portable. Common air compressors are not used for industrial purposes, and they occupy the same volume as a medium-sized table. This type of compressor usually comes with built-in wheels in order to be more portable. However, air compressors aimed at industrial use can occupy areas larger than one, two, or even more rooms. These compressors are not intended to be moved more than a few times during their lifetime. Moving these compressors requires money as well as good planning.

Air compressors can be found in homes, small businesses, service stations, or in large industries. Their usage ranges from dust cleaning to heavy industry usage (inside machinery) and gas turbines. Air compressors play an essential role in the correct operation of many devices and procedures.

Compressors provides detailed information on Air Compressors, Compressor Parts, Compressors, Gas Compressors and more. Compressors is affiliated with Electric Pressure Washers.

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The two most common electronic air purifies are negative ion generators and ozone air purifiers. Simply put, the former produces negative ions that attach themselves to the pollutants in the air thus removing them from the air that we breathe. Ozone air purifiers let out ozone in the air, which as an oxidizing agent, neutralizes pollutants like bacteria, virus, mold and mildew.

Negative Ionizers

Often referred to as the ‘thunderstorm effect’, negative ion generation is achieved as air passes through the purifier, and the resultant air is intentionally negatively ionized and released. When these negatively charged ions collide with positive ions, which usually tend to be pollutants such as dust, bacteria, pollen and chemicals floating freely in the air that we breathe, they bond together and fall to the ground. Older ion generators used this principle of static charge.

In the more modern electronic air purifiers, like electrostatic precipitators, the charge takes place within the air purifier itself rather than in the room, and the dust and particulates are captured on metal filters that can be removed and cleaned or replaced, getting rid of the need to vacuum and dust after ionization. In charged- media filters the air-borne pollutants and particles are collected on the negatively charged fibers filter.

While electrostatic precipitators are the preferred method for air purification using negative ions, most units, popularly called negative ionizers or air ionizers, emit negative ions in the air for health purposes. Experts feel that the addition of negative ions to the air, restores the natural balance of ions and consequently people in these environments should feel healthier, more energetic and experience an improved sense of well-being.

Air ionizers are steadily gaining popularity as they are reasonably priced, practical and effective in enhancing the air quality. Besides they are easy and economical to maintain, noise free, and compact in size.

Ozone Air Purifiers

Natural phenomenon, like lightening or waterfalls, generates negative ions and ozone. This is the “fresh” smell you might encounter in an electrical storm or white rapids. Ozone is also known as active oxygen, and is nature’s mechanism for purifying the air. An ozone purifier mimics this natural process by doing the same function of purification for indoor air.

Ozone air purifiers generate ozone via electronic means. Ozone, being an unstable and reactive gas reacts with any particle it comes in contact with, and is thus a very strong oxidizing agent. It is composed of three oxygen atoms, as opposed to the air we breathe, which has two atoms. Being unstable, one of the oxygen atoms breaks off to find another molecule, to bond with. In an ozone air purifier electricity is used to generate ozone molecules which, when they come into contact with an air-borne pollutant it destroy it, by oxidizing it. Ozone air purifiers are usually known to overcome odor, mildew and tobacco smoke and destroy germs in the air. However, it is unable to affect solid particles such as dust.

It should be noted that the level of ozone produced by these devices should comply with the U.S. FDA standard of 0.05ppm as higher levels of ozone are considered potential health hazards.

Jack Smith writes about various topics. This article is free to re-print as long as nothing is changed, all links remained intact, the bio remains in full and the rel=”nofollow” tag is not added to any of the links. Thank-you - Please visit air-purifier-spot.info

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With the advent of the small PLC’s (programmable logic controllers), the Logo or the Pico to name just a couple, controlling pneumatic circuits can be achieved with high reliability, low complexity, and at a relatively low cost with one of the currently available, easy to program controllers.

That’s all well and good for the vast majority of applications that occur in a plant environment that offers electricity. But what if yours doesn’t? Or, what if you would prefer to have a non-electrical compressed air circuit, one that is, perhaps, located in an explosive or fire hazard location?

Years ago, there were no options but using air logic to control compressed air applications. For more modern applications that may need to operate without electricity, air logic still offers a viable alternative.

There are commercially and readily available air logic elements that will help you design the air-only pneumatic circuit.

OR Gate

This device will allow an output control signal when either of two incoming air signals are present. The output air signal is continuous as long as there is an incoming air signal. This is useful when you wish to sequence a pneumatic operation, but don’t want it to occur until another operation is complete.

AND Gate

This device will allow an output signal only when there are two input air signals received. The output air signal is continuous as long as there are two incoming air signals. This is useful when you wish to sequence a pneumatic operation, but don’t want it to occur until other operations are complete.

NOT Gate

Sends an output air signal continuously when the incoming air signal is absent. This type of device is often used to ensure that a sequence cannot take place until another action is complete.

PULSE

This device will allow a momentary output signal to trigger a sequence operation, and the output signal will drop after it “times out”. This is useful for simplifying control circuitry eliminating the potential for conflicting control air if the pneumatic circuit hasn’t been designed properly.

TIMER

These devices can either generate an outgoing signal for a specific period of time or, delay an outgoing signal for a specific period of time when either receives in input air signal.

INDICATOR

These devices are used when there is a need to have a visual indicator that there is compressed air present. Some might change colour, others might have an indicator pin that pops up to show air is there. Of course, a pressure gauge would do the same thing, but perhaps it might be beneficial to be able to see that there is air present from a distance?

POSITION SENSORS

By having an object interrupt an air flow, or have the air flow within the sensor uninterrupted, will produce an outgoing air signal.

These are just a few of the many other air logic components and devices commerically available. With these items, air logic can be used to build quite complex air control circuits.

Caution: the compressing of air generates a great deal of water, and air / water borne contamination in the air lines to the plant which can be a real problem for downstream air components.

Air logic devices are just such downstream air components. It is critical for their reliable operation to have the air supply to these sensitive control elements clean and dry. Failure to provide air of sufficient quality will ensure that the air logic control circuit will not function to design or expectation.

Bill Wade is a former President, Marketing Manager and Sales Manager of a number of companies that use and sell compressed air related equipment and supplies. He currently represents a select group of companies and writes about air at http://www.about-air-compressors.com.

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