Compressed Air: Difference between revisions

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[[File:Compressed_air.jpg|500px|thumb|right|Numerous uses for compressed air when we take back the economy]]
[[File:AirCompressorWalton.jpg|6400px|thumb|right|Steam powered air compressor (at Walton Colliery). This magnificent machine was at one end of this colliery's power house. It was an inverted vertical compound steam engine with the steam cylinders direct coupled to two stage compressor cylinders below. It was built by Belliss & Morcom of Birmingham in 1922. The steam cylinders were 23" & 33" x 17" and it developed 715 indicated horsepower at 250 rpm. The steam pressure is thought to have been 150 psi. It was disused by 1977 and scrapped in 1982 following the closure of the colliery.]]


=Basics=
Compressed air is one of the basic utilities, next to water, electricity and gas. In some situations, it can replace these other utilities, providing flexibility (see product ecology, below). It could be generated by small wind installations which are mechanically coupled to air compressor. Alternatively, solar photovoltaic cells could power an electric air compressor, although this arrangement is likely more expensive.  
Compressed air is one of the basic utilities, next to water, electricity and gas. In some situations, it can replace these other utilities, providing flexibility (see product ecology, below). It could be generated by small wind installations which are mechanically coupled to air compressor. Alternatively, solar photovoltaic cells could power an electric air compressor, although this arrangement is likely more expensive.  


== Applications and product ecology ==
[[File:Compressed_air.jpg|500px|thumb|right|Numerous uses for compressed air when we take back the economy]]
 
=Applications and product ecology=
'''Energy'''
* for '''energy storage''' (CAES, compressed air energy storage), see [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compressed_air_energy_storage energy storage Wikipedia]
* for '''energy storage''' (CAES, compressed air energy storage), see [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compressed_air_energy_storage energy storage Wikipedia]
* compressed air could be "co-fired" with [[Biogas_start_up|'''biogas''']] for '''electricity''' generation, saving gas
* compressed air could be "co-fired" with [[Biogas_start_up|'''biogas''']] for '''electricity''' generation, saving gas
* '''pneumatic motors''' for all sorts of uses, replacing electric or hydraulic motors  
* '''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pneumatic_motor pneumatic motors]''' for all sorts of uses, replacing electric or hydraulic motors  
* run '''power tools''', [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pneumatic_tool examples here] and [http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-some-examples-of-compressed-air-tools.htm also here]
* run '''power tools''', [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pneumatic_tool examples here] and [http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-some-examples-of-compressed-air-tools.htm also here]
* generate compressed air via wind power (e.g. [[VAWT]]), directly powering an air compressor
* generate compressed air via (solar) '''heat engine''' that directly powers an air compressor
'''Transportation'''
* pneumatic '''transportation''' (see Treehugger article on [http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/12/foodtubes-tubular-idea-deliver-food-pneumatically.php FoodTubes])  
* pneumatic '''transportation''' (see Treehugger article on [http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/12/foodtubes-tubular-idea-deliver-food-pneumatically.php FoodTubes])  
*''' [[Compressed Air Water Pump]]'''  
*''' [[Compressed Air Water Pump]]'''  
* various '''ventilation''' uses (e.g. air exchange in greenhouses, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passivhaus Passivhaus], underground mine, etc.), as an alternative to electric fans
'''Biomass and Biomaterials'''
* '''drying of fuel biomass''' (... wood, manure, etc.) before further uses, such as combustion, pyrolysis  
* '''drying of fuel biomass''' (... wood, manure, etc.) before further uses, such as combustion, pyrolysis  
* '''drying and processing''' of (bio-)materials using [http://vortexdehydration.com/index.htm vortex dehydration]   ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windhexe ("Windhexe")]''
* '''drying and processing''' of (bio-)materials using [[Vortex Dehydration]] (also see: [http://vortexdehydration.com/index.htm vortex dehydration] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windhexe "Windhexe"])
* using '''vortex tube''' for separation of atmospheric gases: yields nitrogen (for food preservation) and oxygen (to co-fire with gas and reach higher temperatures for metallurgical applications)
'''Food and Agriculture'''
* '''aeration of water''' in [[Aquaculture|aquaculture]] and to make [http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/02/how-to-make-use-compost-tea.php compost tea]  
* '''aeration of water''' in [[Aquaculture|aquaculture]] and to make [http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/02/how-to-make-use-compost-tea.php compost tea]  
* '''aeration of compost''': so-called "Aerated Static Pile" (ASP) composting: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerated_static_pile_composting
* '''aeration of compost''': so-called [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerated_static_pile_composting "Aerated Static Pile" (ASP) composting]
* control air flow in updraft and other [[Gasifier|'''gasifiers''']] such as a [http://www.appropedia.org/SAPL_TLUD_gasifier_stove TLUD]
* '''inflatable structures''' (greenhouses, tents, other temporary installations)  
* '''inflatable structures''' (greenhouses, tents, other temporary installations)  
* '''cooling''' (possibly via [[Vortex_tube|vortex tube]]); for making [[Freeze Dried Fruit Powders]]
* '''cooling''' (possibly via [[Vortex_tube|vortex tube]]); for making [[Freeze Dried Fruit Powders]]
* generate compressed air via (solar) '''heat engine''' that directly powers an air compressor
* various '''ventilation''' uses (e.g. air exchange in greenhouses, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passivhaus Passivhaus], underground mine, etc.), as an alternative to electric fans
* various '''[[Category:Metalworks|metallurgy]]''' applications benefit from having very hot flames (compressed air provides increased oxygen for hotter combustion)  
 
* hypothetical device that precisely controls the temperature of a flame by regulating the flow of compressed air into flame and using a feedback mechanism that is controlled by an Arduino (useful to generate precisely carbonized materials for example)
'''Other'''
* using '''vortex tube''' for separation of atmospheric gases: yields nitrogen (for food preservation) and oxygen (to co-fire with gas and reach higher temperatures for metallurgical applications)
* control air flow in updraft and other [[Gasifier|'''gasifiers''']] such as a [http://www.appropedia.org/SAPL_TLUD_gasifier_stove TLUD]
* various applications that benefit from having very hot flames (compressed air provides increased oxygen for hotter combustion)  
* when precise temperature control from a flame is required
 
=See Also=
*[[Open Source Pneumatic Motor]]
*[[Open Source Recipricating Pneumatic Motor]]
*[[Open Source Metallurgy Construction Set]]


== Links ==
=Useful Links=
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compressed_Air
* Wikipedia: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compressed_Air "Compressed Air"]
* Low-Tech Magazine: [http://www.lowtechmagazine.com/2018/05/ditch-the-batteries-off-the-grid-compressed-air-energy-storage.html "Ditch the Batteries: Off-Grid Compressed Air Energy Storage"]
* [http://www.colorado.edu/engineering/energystorage/files/Moutoux_Thesis.pdf  Wind Integrated Compressed Air Energy Storage In Colorado]
* [http://www.colorado.edu/engineering/energystorage/files/Moutoux_Thesis.pdf  Wind Integrated Compressed Air Energy Storage In Colorado]
* [http://www.naturalbuildingblog.com/windmill-driven-compressed-air/#more-11402 Windmill Driven Compressed Air]
* [http://www.naturalbuildingblog.com/windmill-driven-compressed-air/#more-11402 Windmill Driven Compressed Air]
* Air Car on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_car Wikipedia] and [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFbKINlXzRk Youtube]
* Air Car (see: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_car Wikipedia] and [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFbKINlXzRk Youtube])


[[Category:Energy]]
[[Category:Energy]]
[[Category:Metalworks|metallurgy]]

Latest revision as of 21:18, 16 May 2018

Steam powered air compressor (at Walton Colliery). This magnificent machine was at one end of this colliery's power house. It was an inverted vertical compound steam engine with the steam cylinders direct coupled to two stage compressor cylinders below. It was built by Belliss & Morcom of Birmingham in 1922. The steam cylinders were 23" & 33" x 17" and it developed 715 indicated horsepower at 250 rpm. The steam pressure is thought to have been 150 psi. It was disused by 1977 and scrapped in 1982 following the closure of the colliery.

Basics

Compressed air is one of the basic utilities, next to water, electricity and gas. In some situations, it can replace these other utilities, providing flexibility (see product ecology, below). It could be generated by small wind installations which are mechanically coupled to air compressor. Alternatively, solar photovoltaic cells could power an electric air compressor, although this arrangement is likely more expensive.

Numerous uses for compressed air when we take back the economy

Applications and product ecology

Energy

  • for energy storage (CAES, compressed air energy storage), see energy storage Wikipedia
  • compressed air could be "co-fired" with biogas for electricity generation, saving gas
  • pneumatic motors for all sorts of uses, replacing electric or hydraulic motors
  • run power tools, examples here and also here
  • generate compressed air via wind power (e.g. VAWT), directly powering an air compressor
  • generate compressed air via (solar) heat engine that directly powers an air compressor

Transportation

Biomass and Biomaterials

Food and Agriculture

Other

  • using vortex tube for separation of atmospheric gases: yields nitrogen (for food preservation) and oxygen (to co-fire with gas and reach higher temperatures for metallurgical applications)
  • control air flow in updraft and other gasifiers such as a TLUD
  • various applications that benefit from having very hot flames (compressed air provides increased oxygen for hotter combustion)
  • when precise temperature control from a flame is required

See Also

Useful Links

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