Today, I wanted to share one of the many tools that we utilize here in the EXAIR Efficiency Lab. The video will show how a Glass Rotameter is used and works under both compressed air and atmospheric air volumetric flows. If you want to see how your products flow, give us a call, and we will set up an EXAIR Efficiency Lab for you.
Brian Farno
Application Engineer
BrianFarno@EXAIR.com
@EXAIR_BF
Generally I like to write about cool stuff. Whether it is a new product like our TurboBlast Safety Air Gun, an application that really helped cool down a process for a customer, or even something cool I have done like a GORUCK event or training. Well, today is not one of those days, today we are going to talk about the opposite of cool … HEAT and more importantly the methods it is transferred.
The process of how heat is generated all starts with a conversion of energy. Whether it is friction, or converting energy to light, or even converting energy to a different voltage through something like a transformer. No matter how it is generated, heat will begin to transfer. On the molecular level, atoms are storing the energy which will cause electrons to enter into an excited state and rapidly switch between shells. When the electron returns back to a lower shell (closer to the nucleus) energy is released; the energy released is then absorbed by atoms at a lower energy state and will continue until the thermal energy is equal between the two objects. Heat has four fundamental modes of transferring energy from surface to surface and they are as follows:
Conduction
Conduction can also be referred to as diffusion and is the transfer of energy between two objects that have made physical contact. When the two objects come into contact with each other thermal energy will flow from the object with the higher temp to the object with the lower temp. A good example of this is placing ice in a glass of water. The temperature is much lower than the room temperature therefore the thermal energy will flow from the water to the ice.
Radiation
Radiation is the transfer of thermal energy through empty space and does require a material between the two objects. Going back to the how thermal energy is released from atoms; when the electron returns to a lower energy shell the energy is released in the form of light ranging from infrared light to UV light. Energy in the form of light can then be absorbed by an object in the form of heat. Everyone experiences radiation transfer every day when you walk outside; the light from the sun’s radiation is what keeps this planet habitable.
Convection
Convection is the transfer of thermal energy between an object and a fluid in motion. The faster the fluid moves the faster heat is transferred. This relies on the specific heat property of a molecule in order to determine the rate at which heat will be transferred. The low the specific heat of a molecule the faster and more volume of the fluid will need to move in order to get full affect of convection. Convection is used in modern ovens in order to get a more even heat through out the food while cooking.
Advection
Advection is the physical transport of a fluid from point A to point B, which includes all internal thermal energy stored inside. Advection can be seen as one of the simpler ways of heat transfer.
No matter how the heat is transferred to an object, if it needs to be cooled there is a good chance that one of our Application Engineers has approached a similar issue and can help. To discuss, contact us and we will walk through the best method to eliminate the heat you need to.
Brian Farno
Application Engineer
BrianFarno@EXAIR.com
@EXAIR_BF
1 – “Energy Transfer – Heat” by Siyavula Education is licensed under CC BY 2.0
The Rotary Scroll compressor is a popular style compressor and is used primarily for air conditioning refrigerant systems. Recently, since it is very efficient, quiet and reliable it has been adopted by industrial air compressor manufacturer’s to expand their product offering for their smaller, high-efficiency product line.
They operate on the principle of two intermeshing spirals or scrolls with one being stationary while the other rotates or orbits in relation to it. They are mounted with 180° phase displacement between them which forms air pockets having different volumes. Air enters through the inlet port located in the rotating/orbiting scroll which fills the chambers and as is moved along and compressed along the scroll surfaces.
Some of the key advantages of a Rotary Scroll Compressor are:
The largest disadvantage is they are available in a limited range of sizes and the largest SCFM outputs are around 100 SCFM.
This is exactly where EXAIR shines, we offer 15 product lines of highly efficient & quiet point of use compressed air products and accessories to compliment their limited output volume of air. All EXAIR products are designed to use compressed air efficiently and quietly, many of which reduce the demand on your air compressor which will help control utility costs and possibly delay the need to add additional compressed air capacity.
As an example, EXAIR’s Super Air Knives deliver exceptional efficiency by entraining ambient air at ratios of up to 40:1 and they are able to deliver an even laminar flow of air ranging from a gentle breeze to exceptionally hard-hitting force.
EXAIR’s Super Air Amplifiers are able to entrain ambient air at ratio’s up to 25:1. The model 120024 – 4″ Super Air Amplifier developes output volumes up to 2,190 SCFM while consuming only 29.2 SCFM of compressed air @ 80 PSI which can easily be operated on a 100 SCFM output compressor.
For your blow off needs EXAIR’s Super Air Nozzle lineup has an offering that will fit nearly any need or application you may have. Nozzles are available in sizes from M4 x 0.5 to 1 1/4 NPT and forces that range from 2 ounces of force up to 23 Lbs at 12″ from the discharge. We offer sixty two nozzles that could all be operated easily from the limited discharge or a rotary scroll compressor.
If you need to reduce your compressed air consumption or you are looking for expert advice on safe, quiet and efficient point of use compressed air products give us a call. We would enjoy hearing from you!
Steve Harrison
Application Engineer
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Rotary Scroll GIF: used from of Public Domain
