Compressed air is safe when used correctly. However, messing around with compressed air or using it in unconventional ways can be dangerous and even deadly.

Compressed air is the fourth utility. Although not as ubiquitous as electricity, petroleum products, or gas, compressed air is fundamental in powering our modern world. It plays a vital role in most modern manufacturing processes in today’s civilization.

Keep in mind that canned air, those small cans of compressed “air” used to clean electronics and computer equipment, is not the same thing as true compressed air. Canned air is a highly flammable chemical gas called difluoroethane, which has a higher chance of causing an explosion.

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Fortunately, most people have no reason to memorize or use this formula. Instead, just set your air compressor to your desired pressure and let science take care of the rest.

Struers Technical Data Sheets are designed to help you make the best choice of equipment for your particular purpose. You can find important information such as capacity and performance specifications, dimensions, weight, electrical data, noise levels, ambient conditions, and safety. In many cases you can also obtain an overview of accessories offering higher capacity and performance.

But pistons aren’t the only way to force air into a smaller space. There are numerous styles of air compressors on the market, each with its advantages and disadvantages. For example, rotary screw air compressors use dual spinning screws to push air down and compress it:

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The PSM-5 and PSM-10 microscopes are part of a complete range of portable equipment and consumables for materialographic, non-destructive preparation and inspection. These tools are supplemented by a wide range of replication products.

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Depending on the application, the compressed air that leaves an air compressor system can be hundreds of degrees. However, the compressed air that leaves an air compressor is typically not as hot as the air inside the compression chamber.

Yes. Compressed air is clean, safe, simple, and efficient, as far as energy sources go. There are no dangerous exhaust fumes or other harmful by-products when compressed air is used, and it is a non-combustible, non-polluting utility.

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Compressed air is hot because the air molecules are physically forced closer together during compression, which causes the molecules to move quickly; this rapid molecule movement generates heat.

Compressed air is made of the same air you breathe in and out, but that air is compressed into a smaller size and kept under pressure. When you take atmospheric air and physically force it into a smaller volume, the molecules take up less space; voila, the air is compressed.

Horror stories and YouTube distractions aside, it’s very unlikely that compressed air will cause an air receiver tank to explode. Properly drained and maintained tanks pose very little risk to their operators.

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When applying this formula to an air compressor, the air volume and pressure can be controlled and increased as needed. You can use compressed air in pressure ranges from 14 PSI to 6004 PSI (1 to 414 bar) at flow rates from as little as 3.5 CFM (0.1 m³) and up.

Active air is used when a steady stream of air is needed for a task. A couple of literal applications for active air are aeration and medical breathing air. But tons of other industries, from pharmaceutical and chemical companies to food and beverage plants, use active air in their processes to produce goods and services.

Part of the Struers non-destructive portable preparation and inspection range, the PSM-5 and PSM-10 microscopes are easy to transport. The aluminum transport case can contain all that is necessary to perform an inspection, including microscopes, a camera option, and a microscope adapter.

The battery-powered LED light provides an excellent view of the subject for inspection and does not require a separate external power supply.

Regardless of the mechanism used, air is always compressed by taking atmospheric air and squishing it down so the molecules are condensed and pressurized.

You’ve got questions, and we’ve got answers! In this article, we’ll tell you everything you ever wanted to know about compressed air and then some.

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The main difference between compressed air and other power sources is that users can easily generate their own air and choose how to generate it. As a result, air compressors can accommodate a lot of different needs. Many applications in different environments depend on compressed air, and air compressors can be configured (with the right accessories) to compress air to a specific pressure, at a certain flow, and of the right quality.

With its CMOS sensor, the 3 megapixels digital camera for PSM microscopes is aimed at professionals with high demands in terms of image quality, dynamic and sensitivity. Dedicated to optical microscopy, it is used in the metallography laboratory or on site. The digital camera for PSM microscopes is a good compromise between speed and resolution. Its sensor delivers a resolution of 3.2 megapixels. Its high definition digital sensor provides sharp images with low noise, and fast live image for easy focusing. In combination with Perfect Image Lite software, microscope objectives are easily calibrated, and a scale bar can be automatically merged in the captured image. All cameras parameters can be saved and recalled for maximal ease of use and reproducible images. Measurements on the live or captured images are available, such as length, area, angle and alike. Advanced versions of the software are available for more demanding applications such as grain sizing, cast iron analysis and alike.

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Hot air can be dangerous, and heat also increases the water in the air stream, which can be a problem in some applications. When necessary, air compressor designs can include aftercoolers to reduce the compressed air temperature, and in turn reduce the amount of water in the air stream.

It is possible for an air receiver tank holding compressed air to explode—but it’s extremely rare and tends to occur when operators don’t look after their air receiver tank.

The Backyard Scientist has a pretty cool YouTube video that shows the impressive explosive reaction between hot water and difluoroethane:

Rotary screw air compressors are chosen over reciprocating because they are compact, powerful, and can run continuously. If you're interested, you can read more about the differences between rotary screw and reciprocating air compressors here.

Step 1: Air is trapped in a cylinder, tank, or similar containerStep 2: The space in that container becomes smaller, which forces the air molecules closer together

Collectively, these three laws explain that pressure, volume, and temperature are proportional. If you change one variable, then one or two of the others will also change, according to this equation:

Although all these occurrences are extremely rare, they are also possible. There is no good reason to point compressed air at a person, including yourself, which makes these injuries 100% preventable. Don’t use compressed air to clean your clothes, blow dust around, or hit your buddy as a joke, and you’ll be perfectly safe.

The leading cause of air compressor tank explosions is corrosion. When operators don’t drain the water that accumulates in their tank, it can cause corrosion, weakening the tank until the compressed air breaks it open.

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Atmospheric air has 14 PSI of pressure (1 bar) but can be forced up to 6004 PSI (414 bar) of pressure when compressed into a smaller state. Exactly how pressurized compressed air becomes is determined by science.

Although you may not realize it, most products we use today were made using compressed air at some point. In fact, compressed air accounts for about 10% of the global energy currently used.

The second common cause of an air tank explosion is poorly manufactured products or manufacturing defects. For example, an air receiver tank without a proper pressure relief valve might become over-pressurized and explode from that. Working with a reputable air receiver tank manufacturer should prevent these types of explosions from occurring.

Don’t make do with what we say! Look for the truth in the experiences of the people who use our equipment and knowledge. We asked a few of our loyal customers to tell us what they think is most important about Struers.

Compressed air can power air tools and production equipment when used as an energy source. Tools and equipment powered by compressed air are in countless applications across dozens of industries, including construction, tire service, mechanical repair, maintenance, factory production, industrial processes, and vehicle safety systems. Even roller coasters use compressed air!

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You know when you’re crammed in a busy elevator, the door suddenly opens, and everybody rushes out and spreads apart? Compressed air does the same thing. While the molecules in air can be trapped in a smaller space, they don’t want to be, and they will spread apart as quickly as possible the first second they can. That’s what causes pressure.

However, compressed air can be dangerous when misused or if air receiver tanks aren’t properly maintained. Therefore, operators should always follow the guidelines set by manufacturers.

Compressing air is easiest to picture with a reciprocating air compressor, where a piston pushes the air down in a cylinder. Here’s a great reference image:

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Compressed air is a popular energy source for many reasons. The main benefits of using air compressors and compressed air are:

A wide range of accessories means that the hand-held PSM-5 and PSM-10 microscopes can be used for a wide variety of inspection types.