Actuator Technology Center

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

Share This

Similar to an ozone cleaner, an ionic air purifier also uses an electrical charge to alter oxygen atoms in the air. There is often confusion between ionic air cleaners and ozone air purifiers. The main advantage of the former is that an ionic air cleaner will not only clear your home of odors and mildew, but also purge your air of dust and pollen.

What are ion air cleaners, exactly, and how well do they work?
The theory behind an ionic air purifier will take you back to your days in science class in high school. Most common household pollutants carry a positive charge. These are too light to settle on the ground or furniture, where they can be vacuumed or cleaned. They float about freely in the air that we breathe in our homes. What an ionic air cleaner does, is that it negatively charges the air particles in the room. Now, if you remember some high school science, you know that a positive charge and negative charge when brought close together will experience a magnetic attraction. And voila! As soon as the positively charged pollutant collides with the negatively charged anion, they bond together, becoming too heavy to remain airborne, and sink to the floor. Thus they are out of harm’s way and can no longer be inhaled. Regular vacuuming and dusting can get rid of these particles.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, if properly used, these ionizers can lessen the amount of airborne dust in the room by over 50% and also diminish the airborne bacteria by 95%.

As compared to HEPA air filters, people who are concerned about noise pollution in their homes may prefer air ionizers as they are generally silent. HEPA air purifiers make more noise as they use a motorized fan to circulate the air to purify it. Ionic air purifiers, on the other hand, send out the ions or activated oxygen to purify the air, and hence are usually silent. Also, another advantage ionizers have over other purifiers is that its parts do not need regular replacement, as there are no physical filters. Even though most air ionizers don’t have a motorized fan, the ionization creates a faint breeze that helps to distribute the ions throughout a room. Some are also outfitted with screens or prongs that catch the particles of dust as they fall to the ground.

Positive endorsements for the ionizer have come from many quarters. In an epidemiological study, it was found that repeated airborne infections of the bacteria acinetobacter in an ICU ward was totally wiped out with the installation of a negative air ionizer. Through the year long study, the infection rate fell to zero, disinfecting the air and thereby stopping the transmission of the infection.

Thus, keeping in mind your concern over noise, reliability and cost of purchase and maintenance, a low-cost ionic air purifier is a reasonably wise purchase.

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 room-air-purifiers.info

Share This

There are many air filter manufacturers on the market. And this is not surprising since the demand for air filters has been on the upward trend for many years now. The demand is premised on the fact that clean and fresh air is needed all around us. We need it for our continual existence.

As I often advise people like you, it’s advisable you go for reputable brand names when thinking of acquiring air filters. You’re guaranteed the best product and after sales services. Shun new brands. They often fail in the promise made at their introduction into the market.

Let’s take a look at some reputable air filters manufacturers. Make up your mind after going through this information and similar ones.

Honeywell: Honeywell is one of the manufacturers that have been in the business for many years. Infact, it dates back to 1885. They produce four major types of air filter: Replacement Media filter, HEPA air cleaners, Media Air Cleaners, and Electronic air cleaners. These air filters have advanced technology and are certified by the American Lung Association. Their whole-house HEPA air cleaner provides a powerful, three-stage filtration process that ensures the cleanest air. The stages include activated carbon, pre-filter and HEPA filter. Honeywell filters contain an AIRWATCH indicator which reminds you when to change the filter and is backed with a one-year warranty. Their electronic air filter destroys almost 98% of pollutants. This also comes with a 5 year-warranty.

K&N: K&N has been in the business for over 30 years. Its air filters are designed to achieve high, virtually unrestricted air flow and long engine life. The company also offers Replacement air filters that fit exactly into the standard OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturing) motorcycle airbox, Universal air filters for racing vehicles and many more. K&N has almost 1000 shapes/styles of universal air filters and back each of them with a one year-warranty. Their Replacement air filters come with a million mile limited warranty. In addition, these filters increase horsepower and acceleration of the vehicle along with filtration.

AIR BEAR: This Company manufactures both whole house air cleaners and portable air cleaners which facilitate cost efficient air filtration. It has furnace filters, replacement filters and media cleaners. Their products come in three sizes with three different dimensions such as 3×6x15, 5×20x25 and 20×20x5. Depending on the size and dimension of the filter, you should be ready to part with as much as $100 or more.

HUNTER AIR FILTERS: This Company makes two distinct lines of air filters. These are the QuietFlow line and her popular HEPAtech line of air purifiers. The latter uses a combination of cleaning technologies, with a charcoal filter to remove odors in the home. However, the charcoal filter must be replaced regularly. The former on the other hand are based on HEPA filters which also need regular replacement at least once a year for effective filtration. The cost of these two types of filters could be from $15 to $90.

ORECK: This Company is based in the US. It offers a powerful Oreck XL Professional air purifier which is known to completely regenerate the air in a 30′X30′ room every hour by capturing and destroying airborne irritants. The filter works by trapping 95% of airborne particles, some as minute as one thousand times smaller than a single hair. Cleaning of the filter is not burdensome as the light in the filter indicates when cleaning is necessary. The Oreck XL Professional Air purifier has a five-stage purification process which make sit more powerful than HEPA filter in air filtration. The five-stage includes a pre-filter, positive charging wires, a collector, charcoal odor absorbers and an air-revitalizer, which bids farewell top all dust mites, and airborne allergens.

Though these are not the only air filters manufacturers in the market, they are the most popular among shoppers. They’ve been tested and proven to effectively rid the air around you of all type of airborne contaminants.

=========================================================
How much are you paying to get clean and fresh air?
Ras Reed has all the info you need on air filters.
FREE DETAILS: Air Filters Info
=========================================================

Share This