In the compressed air world, when we talk about an “air amplifier” it can mean one of two things: either a pressure air amplifier, or a volume air amplifier. How do we differentiate the two and what types of applications does each serve?
A pressure air amplifier works as an air pump to increase the pressure of the supplied air, generating pressures ranging from 30 psi up to as much as 1500 psi in some specialized types of pressure amplifiers. Pressure air amplifiers operate only off of the supplied compressed air and do not require a source of electricity to drive the piston amplifying the pressure. They are available in both single-acting and double-acting varieties with the double-acting being the most efficient.
Pressure-type air amplifiers are used in applications where a specific product or process must have a higher pressure than the compressor system can deliver. This includes applications such as: air clamps, presses, pressure testing, air brakes, and also blow molding. The drawback to these products is that the increase in pressure does result in a reduction in volume of air. A point of use receiver tank and over-sizing of the overall system is generally a good practice to ensure sufficient operation.
On the other side of the amplifier spectrum lies EXAIR with our volume amplifying amplifiers. EXAIR manufactures two different styles of volume air amplifier: The Super Air Amplifier and Adjustable Air Amplifier. These products utilize Bernoulli’s Principle and the coanda effect to draw in large amounts of ambient air that mixes with the supplied compressed to project a hard hitting force of laminar airflow, much greater than what is supplied.
EXAIR’s Adjustable Air Amplifiers are available in both Stainless Steel and Aluminum from sizes ranging from ¾”-4” on the air outlet. The outlet can be ducted or it can be used as-is. The air gap of the Adjustable Air Amplifier is infinitely adjustable, allowing you to regulate both the air consumption and outlet flow from a “breeze” to a “blast”. In addition to the standard Adjustable Air Amplifiers, we also have a High Temperature Air Amplifier available that is capable of withstanding temperatures as high as 700°F.
EXAIR’s Super Air Amplifiers utilize a patented shim design to maintain critical positioning of component parts. This allows a precise amount of compressed air to be released at exact intervals toward the center of the Super Air Amplifier. This creates a constant, high velocity outlet flow across the entire cross-sectional area. Free, ambient air is entrained through the unit, resulting in high amplification ratios. The balanced outlet airflow minimizes wind shear to produce sound levels far lower than other similar air movers.
Volume air amplifiers can be used in a variety of blowoff, conveying, drying, cooling, and venting applications. With a range of different sized Super Air Amplifiers and Adjustable Air Amplifiers, EXAIR has a solution for you if you need to move A LOT of air for a variety of reasons. Reach out to an Application Engineer today if you have an application that you believe could be served with a low-cost, simple solution!
Tyler Daniel
Application Engineer
E-mail: TylerDaniel@EXAIR.com
Twitter:@EXAIR_TD