Compressed air in industry: how it is produced, stored and used
Compressed air in industry: how it is produced, stored and used
Operating a tool, moving a component, actuating a valve or feeding a production process: behind many industrial operations lies compressed air.
Found in plants of every size, it is often regarded as industry’s fourth utility, alongside electricity, water and gas. To use it reliably, however, producing it is not enough. It must be compressed, stored, treated and distributed while maintaining the pressure, flow rate and quality suited to the needs of the plant.
From the compressor to the compressed air receivers, through to the industrial filtration and ventilation systems, every component contributes to the continuity and efficiency of the production process.
Let us look at how compressed air is generated and managed in an industrial setting, examining in particular the role of the receivers and the technologies that contribute to treating and controlling the air in production processes.
What is compressed air and why is it a strategic resource for industry
Compressed air is obtained by drawing air from the environment and reducing its volume by means of a compressor. The increase in pressure makes it possible to store pneumatic energy, which can be conveyed through a network and made available at the various points of the plant.
In industry it is used to power pneumatic tools, cylinders, actuators and automation systems, and for blowing, cleaning or handling operations. It can also be used as process air, with different levels of purity depending on the sector and the application.
One of its main advantages is flexibility. A properly designed network can serve several machines and production areas, adapting to variable demand. Pneumatic devices are also robust and can operate even in settings where other technologies prove less practical.
Compressed air, however, is not a free resource. Its production requires energy, and overall efficiency depends on numerous factors: operating pressure, network losses, the demand profile, the quality required and the correct sizing of the components.
For this reason, a system must be assessed as a complete whole, from generation through to end uses.
How compressed air is stored: the role of the receivers
After compression, the air can be stored inside a pressure vessel. Compressed air receivers play a central role because they create a reserve between the compressor and the distribution network.
When a machine suddenly requires a high flow rate, the stored volume helps to meet the peak without the immediate need to start up an additional compressor. Storage also helps to stabilise the pressure, reduce fluctuations and protect the more sensitive users from temporary drops.
Sizing does not depend solely on the power of the compressor. The required flow rate, the available pressure, the frequency of the peaks, the demand profile and the type of control used must all be taken into account.
The position of the vessel also affects the operation of the plant. A main receiver can support the entire network, while storage installed close to a user with intensive and intermittent consumption makes it possible to manage variations in demand locally.
At Gruppo Baglioni we design and manufacture vertical and horizontal receivers in carbon and stainless steel, intended both for standalone installations and for integration into more complex systems.
Safety and conformity of compressed air receivers
A receiver holds energy in the form of a pressurised fluid. For this reason, design, manufacture, installation and maintenance must comply with precise technical and regulatory requirements.
In the European Union, Directive 2014/68/EU, known as the PED, governs stationary equipment with a maximum allowable pressure greater than 0.5 bar. Depending on the characteristics of the vessel, Directive 2014/29/EU, relating to simple pressure vessels, may also apply.
Product conformity, however, is only part of the process. During operation, the obligations relating to correct installation, risk assessment, periodic inspections and maintenance must also be met.
The choice of receiver must therefore take into account pressure, volume, temperature, material, environmental conditions, the fluid contained and the destination market. At Gruppo Baglioni we manufacture vessels that comply with the applicable European directives and the main international standards, adopting the certifications required in the various countries.
From compression to air treatment: the integrated solutions of Gruppo Baglioni
The efficiency of a plant does not depend solely on the compressor and the receiver. The air drawn from the environment contains moisture and particles and, depending on the technology used, may contain oil residues.
Compressed air treatment serves to remove these contaminants and achieve the level of quality required by the application. Condensate separation, filtration and drying help to protect the equipment, limit corrosion and ensure process continuity.
Alongside the receivers, we design and manufacture pressure vessels and components for compressed air treatment plants, including separators, filter housings, vessels for adsorption dryers, adsorption columns for PSA systems, silencers for blowers and bespoke solutions for industrial applications.
Are you developing a plant for the storage, treatment or management of industrial air? Contact us.
