Compressed air is air which is kept under a certain pressure, usually greater than that of the atmosphere. In Europe 10 % of all electricity used by industry is used to produce compressed air. This amounts to 80 terawatt hours per year.[1]
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Dangers
- A blast of air under 40 psi (pounds per square inch) from 4 inches away can rupture an eardrum or cause brain damage.[citation needed]
- Directed at the mouth, compressed air can rupture the lungs.[citation needed]
Uses
Compressed air can be used in or for:
- pneumatics, the use of pressurized gases to do work. See compressed air energy storage.
- vehicular transportation using a compressed air vehicle
- scuba diving, to inflate buoyancy devices. See also: Breathing gas
- cooling using a vortex tube.
- gas dusters for cleaning electronic components that cannot be cleaned with water. These are also called "canned air", however this is a misnomer because the propellant is not air, but rather a hydrofluorocarbon which poses a health risk if inhaled.
- air brake (rail) systems
- air brake (road vehicle) systems
- compressed air breathers (such as Suisse Air)[citation needed]
- paintball ammunition propulsion
- airsoft ammunition propulsion
See also
Notes
- ^ Paineilma hukkaa 15 hiilivoimalan tuotannon (Finnish)
External links
- World's largest glossary of terms relating to compressed air
- A source of original articles and information related to compressed air and pneumatics
- Compressed Air Australasia: Your Expert Source of Information on Compressed Air
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