LECTURE 4

PNEUMATIC SYSTEM

Pneumatic technology deals with the study of behavior and applications of compressed air in our daily life in general and manufacturing automation in particular. Pneumatic systems use air as the medium which is abundantly available and can be exhausted into the atmosphere after completion of the assigned task.

1. Basic Components of Pneumatic System:

Fig. 4. 1 Components of a pneumatic system

Important components of a pneumatic system are shown in fig.4.1.

• Air filters: These are used to filter out the contaminants from the air.

• Compressor: Compressed air is generated by using air compressors. Air compressors are either diesel or electrically operated. Based on the requirement of compressed air, suitable capacity compressors may be used.

• Air cooler: During compression operation, air temperature increases. Therefore coolers are used to reduce the temperature of the compressed air.

• Dryer: The water vapor or moisture in the air is separated from the air by using a dryer.

• Control Valves: Control valves are used to regulate, control and monitor for control of direction flow, pressure etc.

• Air Actuator: Air cylinders and motors are used to obtain the required movements of mechanical elements of pneumatic system.

• Electric Motor: Transforms electrical energy into mechanical energy. It is used to drive the compressor.

• Receiver tank: The compressed air coming from the compressor is stored in the air receiver.

These components of the pneumatic system are explained in detail on the next pages.

2. Receiver tank

The air is compressed slowly in the compressor. But since the pneumatic system needs continuous supply of air, this compressed air has to be stored. The compressed air is stored in an air receiver as shown in Figure 4. 2. The air receiver smoothens the pulsating flow from the compressor. It also helps the air to cool and condense the moisture present. The air receiver should be large enough to hold all the air delivered by the compressor. The pressure in the receiver is held higher than the system operating pressure to compensate pressure loss in the pipes. Also the large surface area of the receiver helps in dissipating the heat from the compressed air. Generally the size of receiver depends on,

ü Delivery volume of compressor.

ü Air consumption.

ü Pipeline network

ü Type and nature of on-off regulation

ü Permissible pressure difference in the pipelines

Fig.4.2 Air receiver

3. Compressor:

It is a mechanical device which converts mechanical energy into fluid energy. The compressor increases the air pressure by reducing its volume which also increases the temperature of the compressed air. The compressor is selected based on the pressure it needs to operate and the delivery volume.

The compressor can be classified into two main types

• Positive displacement compressors and

• Dynamic displacement compressor

Positive displacement compressors include piston type, vane type, diaphragm type and screw type.

3.1 Piston compressors

Fig. 4.3 Single acting piston compressor

Piston compressors are commonly used in pneumatic systems. The simplest form is single cylinder compressor (Fig. 4.3). It produces one pulse of air per piston stroke. As the piston moves down during the inlet stroke the inlet valve opens and air is drawn into the cylinder. As the piston moves up the inlet valve closes and the exhaust valve opens which allows the air to be expelled. The valves are spring loaded. The single cylinder compressor gives significant amount of pressure pulses at the outlet port. The pressure developed is about 3-40 bar.

3.2 Double acting compressor

Fig. 4.4 Double acting piston compressor

The pulsation of air can be reduced by using double acting compressor as shown in Figure 4.4. It has two sets of valves and a crosshead. As the piston moves, the air is compressed on one side whilst on the other side of the piston, the air is sucked in. Due to the reciprocating action of the piston, the air is compressed and delivered twice in one piston stroke. Pressure higher than 30bar can be produced.

3.3 Multistage compressor

Fig. 4.5 Multi-stage compressor

As the pressure of the air increases, its temperature rises. It is essential to reduce the air temperature to avoid damage of compressor and other mechanical elements. The multistage compressor with intercooler in-between is shown in Figure 4.5. It is used to reduce the temperature of compressed air during the compression stages. The inter-cooling reduces the volume of air which used to increase due to heat. The compressed air from the first stage enters the intercooler where it is cooled. This air is given as input to the second stage where it is compressed again. The multistage compressor can develop a pressure of around 50bar.

3.4 Combined two stage compressors

Fig. 4.6 Combined to stage compressor

In this type, two-stage compression is carried out by using the same piston (Fig. 4.6). Initially when the piston moves down, air is sucked in through the inlet valve. During the compression process, the air moves out of the exhaust valve into the intercooler. As the piston moves further the stepped head provided on the piston moves into the cavity thus causing the compression of air. Then, this is let out by the exhaust port.