Many of us take the free and wonderful air for granted, yet few of us realize it. Compressed air is used for inflating tires, it’s used in repair shops and production facilities to power sanders, grinders, impact wrenches, drills, caulking guns, nailers, paint spray guns, cutting tools, blow guns and polishers. Mechanics use air-powered tools to loosen and tighten bolts on cars. Even homes are nailed together with air-powered nail guns and painted with compressed air. Trains and cars too have elaborate air brake systems.
Now there is a list of companies that are finding further use for this infinitely useful free resource. Compressed air, so we have found, is an energy storage medium. It does take energy to compress air, but not much, and that energy become recycled when the air is released.
Motor Development International (MDI) is planning to launch zero-emission cars powered by compressed air.
Atlas Copco is a UK developer and provider of compressed air and gas equipment, generators, construction and mining equipment, industrial tools and assembly systems. It is launching a Carbon Zero line of oil-free air compressors. Their industrial compressors have been proven capable in recovering 100 per cent of the electrical energy input in the form of hot water at up to 90 degrees C (194 degrees F).
Atlas Copco describes the process behind their ZR 55-750 industrial grade compressors (rated from 55 to 750kW). These are two-stage, oil-free, water-cooled units:
“Because the ambient air input to the compressor contains moisture, this is condensed in the compression and cooling process, releasing latent heat (or condensation heat). This energy, transferred to the cooling water, results in the compressor generating both compressed air and hot water.”
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