High-Pressure Air Compressors: Your Ultimate Guide

A typical household air compressor is commonly used for tasks such as operating drill and nail guns, impact wrenches, sanders, inflating tires, and other similar applications. 

 

How "High" is High Pressure for an Air Compressor?

 

Air compressors come in various types, but they are all measured by PSI, or pounds per square inch, which indicates the pressure strength of the compressor.

 

A typical household air compressor is commonly used for tasks such as operating drill and nail guns, impact wrenches, sanders, inflating tires, and other similar applications. These typically have about 90 PSI.

 

Conversely, a high-pressure air compressor has a lot more power. It can compress air as high as 6000 PSI.

 

 

What is a High-Pressure Industrial or Breathing Air Compressor Used For?

 

High-pressure air compressors serve critical roles in both industrial applications and the provision of breathing air.

 

Industrial Air Compressors

 

High-pressure compressors are widely used across various industrial processes, including:

 

- Manufacturing operations

- Blow molding

- Powering pneumatic tools and equipment

- Sandblasting

- Testing and quality control

- Valve testing

- Leak detection

- Heat exchanger testing

- Energy production, covering both conventional and renewable sectors

- Fuel optimizing and combustion control

- Hydraulic fracturing

- Oil and gas extraction and processing

 

Breathing Air Compressors

 

These compressors are essential for supplying clean, pressurized breathing air in environments where safety and reliable air supply are critical, such as:

 

- SCUBA diving

- Firefighting

- Military operations

- Industrial and offshore applications

-Mining ventilation

 

How do High-Pressure Industrial or Breathing Air Compressors Work?

 

High-pressure industrial and breathing air compressors use a multi-stage compression process to reach the required high pressures. Air is drawn into the compressor and compressed in successive stages, with cooling between each stage to dissipate heat generated during compression. This cooling is crucial to maintain efficiency and prevent overheating of the compressor components. The air can be compressed to pressures as high as 6000 PSI, making it suitable for applications such as firefighting, military operations, and industrial processes.

 

 

Apart from compression, the air is also purified to meet strict quality standards, especially for breathing air use. After the final compression stage, moisture separators and filters remove contaminants, ensuring the air is clean and safe. This thorough process enables high-pressure compressors to deliver reliable, high-quality air for critical applications while preserving equipment longevity and performance.

 

What is "Breathing Air"?

 

Breathing air is compressed atmospheric air that has not been chemically altered or enriched, unlike Nitrox or other specialized gas mixtures. It consists solely of purified atmospheric air. When processed through an appropriate purification system, breathing air can meet all standards necessary for applications such as diving, firefighting, and safety operations. The quality of compressed breathing air largely depends on the environment around the compressor and the source of the intake air.

 

Daily Operation Checks

 

Before operating your Comair Compressor, ensure the following items are checked by you or your team:

 

* Verify oil level

* Inspect condensate drain container

* Confirm auto drain system is functioning properly

* Check CO and moisture indicators

 

Bi-Annual and Annual Services

 

A certified service technician should perform the following checks bi-annually or annually. Contact your dealer to schedule maintenance:

 

* Change oil

* Replace purification filters

* Inspect fittings and hoses for leaks

* Check drive belt condition

* Rotate or replace particulate intake filter