GLOSSARY OF COMPRESSED AIR SYSTEMS COMPONENTS
AIR COMPRESSOR – Compresses inlet air to a desired higher outlet pressure. Example: Atmospheric pressure to final pressures of 50psi, 125psi, 175psi, 250psi, 600psi, 4000psi, and more
INLET AIR FILTER – Removes contaminants from intake air to air compressors, assures long equipment life and increased lubricant life on contact cooled compressors.
OIL FILTER – Cleans particulates and impurities from the oil (Coolant) in contact cooled rotary compressors.
AIR/OIL SEPARATOR – Removes oil (Coolant) from air stream in contact cooled rotary screw compressors, allowing the oil to be recirculated.
DRIVE MOTOR – Used to drive and power the Compression Element/Pump (Reciprocating, Rotary Screw, Rotary Scroll, Rotary Lobe, Centrifugal, etc.)
MOTOR STARTERS – Magnetic and/or Electronic Solid State Motor Starters are a requirement for thermal protection of all compressor motors.
AIR COOLED AFTERCOOLER – Reduces temperature of compressed air to approximately 20 degrees F above ambient (cooling air)…condensing approximately 70% of the moisture out of the compressed air.
MOISTURE SEPARATOR – Mechanically separates over 90% of liquid moisture from the air system.
AUTOMATIC DRAIN – Automatically drains condensate from a compressed air system at critical points.
AIR RECEIVER – Removes pulsations and provides storage capacity, called “System Capacitance”.
PRESSURE GAUGE – Indicates system air pressure at a given point.
RELIEF VALVE – Opens at pre-set pressure. Used to protect all pressure vessels and other devices from over pressure.
FLEXIBLE METAL HOSE – Isolates vibration between compressor, other system components and piping.
MANUAL BY-PASS VALVES – Allows servicing of components without shutting down system.
ISOLATION VALVE – Isolates individual system components for maintenance or other reasons.
PROTECTIVE CONTROLS – Automatic controls detect overheating, low oil pressure and other dangerous operating conditions and automatically shut compressor down before it can be damaged. Usually they signal trouble with a light indicator and sound a buzzer or a horn.
BELT GUARD – A safety requirement for all “Belt” drives within a compressor system where a flywheel or a pulley is exposed to personnel.
INTAKE SILENCER – A noise dampener or muffler, sometimes required on the intake of an air compressor, where noise is objectionable.
HIGH AIR TEMPERATURE SHUT DOWN – Automatically shuts down a compressor when excessively high discharge air temperatures are reached. The cause has to be determined.
WATER TEMPERATURE GAUGE – Indicates system water temperature at a given point. Accommodates operator adjustments of the water flow and monitoring of the water temperature.
THERMOSTATIC WATER CONTROL VALVE – Maintains correct water discharge temperature from water cooled compressors.
WATER SIGHT GLASS – A device which shows visibly and positively that cooling water is flowing through the air compressor cooling system.
WATER COOLED AFTER-COOLER – A heat transfer unit that cools compressed air as it leaves the compressor…condensing approximately 70% of the moisture out of the compressed air.
AUTOMATIC WATER SHUTOFF– Solenoid type design to shut off water flow to water cooled compressors or after coolers automatically when unit is shut down. – Conserves water.
AUTOMATIC WATER TEMPERATURE SHUT DOWN – Protects compressor from cooling system failure.
PRE-FILTERS – Remove solid and liquid contaminants to extend life of other down stream filters and dryers.
COALESCING FILTER – Filter that causes fine oil mist in air streams to coalesce into liquid oil for draining out.
ADSORPTION FILTER – Filter that chemically removes oil vapor and odors resulting in oil-free compressed air.
REFRIGERATED AIR DRYERS – Condenses moisture from compressed air by cooling the air in tubes with chilled refrigerant. Refrigerant Dryers will produce dew points from 39 to 50 degrees F at operating pressure. The dry air protects all air operated equipment from premature failure and wear due to moisture.
REGENERATIVE AIR DRYERS – Desiccant dryer technology captures water vapor molecules on the surface of porous desiccant. An activated compressed air purge is utilized to evacuate moisture from the pores. The regenerative process is reversible and repeatable, delivering dew point ranges from -40°F to -100°F.
HEAT-OF-COMPRESSION DRYERS – A desiccant/regenerative air dryer. Utilizing recovered heat that is a natural by-product of compression and virtually no energy, an HOC dryer can provide year round dew points below -40°F.
DEW POINT – The temperature and pressure at which moisture will begin to condense air.
AUTOMATIC COMPRESSOR CONTROLS – Alternating, Sequencing, Starting, Stopping, Loading-Unloading, Monitoring, Diagnosing, Warning and Emergency Shut Down Systems are available standard or customized.
BACK PRESSURE REGULATOR – Located downstream of compressors, filters and dryers, prevents air velocities from exceeding the designs of those components.
FLOW CONTROL REGULATOR – Located downstream of the storage air receiver, provides a predetermined “demand side” pressure to a system to minimize air consumption and maximize production rates.
EMERGENCY AIR CONNECTION – Located downstream of primary compressor(s) and upstream of filters and dryers, to tie in rental and/or portable compressors.
