Compressed air can accomplish some amazing feats.
We tend to talk about the traditional commercial uses such as manufacturing, pharmaceutical, and food and beverage uses. But compressed air can be used in some pretty interesting and unconventional ways, too.
It can serve as a powerful source of energy around some big machinery. While we tend to focus on the standard industries that use compressed air, there is more to the story. It can power the world around us.
Below are four interesting ways compressed air is used.
Artificial Snow – When a ski hill doesn’t have enough white fluffy snow, they resort to making their own. Compressed air is critical in this endeavor. The big machines that spray the hills with artificial snow rely on water and compressed air at the desired temperature and humidity. The result is snow on demand.
NASA Projects – NASA relies on compressed air to help power space shuttles and the International Space Station. The two main uses are to launch space shuttles into space and to sustain human life once in space.
A speed of at least 25,000 mph is needed to escape the earth’s atmosphere. Turbine engines may cover a significant amount of the work, but compressed air is used to increase pressure, deliver liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen to the engine, and improve the engine’s ability to combust fuel.
Compressed air also helps to sustain human life once in space. Compressed gasses are brought into space and then decompressed and mixed as needed. When the ISS was first built, compressed air became the only source of oxygen. Now it serves as a backup to their oxygen generation system.
Roller Coasters – Compressed air is used in one of the ultimate recreational activities – roller coasters. The result is a more exhilarating experience for the end user, combined with the ability to keep people safer. The use of compressed air allows rollercoasters the ability to be combined with water and avoid the need to use electricity.
Roller coaster air brakes, safety gates, special effects, and launch systems may all rely on compressed air.
Trains – Freight and passenger trains can reach speeds of up to 220 mph and when something moves that quickly, the ability to stop remains important, too. These trains rely on compressed air for their air brakes to properly work. It’s the force that closes pads onto discs or blocks onto wheels, forcing the train to slow to a stop.
Imagine What Compressed Air Can Do For You
It’s clear that compressed air is a powerful resource to help power some of the most amazing machinery the world has known. No matter what industry you are in, it can help power your operations, too. If you are looking for a leader in the compressed air industry to help guide you through the process, contact us today!
