Compressed Air - Uses

Uses

In industry, compressed air is so widely used that it is often regarded as the fourth utility, after electricity, natural gas and water. However, compressed air is more expensive than the other three utilities when evaluated on a per unit energy delivered basis.

Compressed air is used for many purposes, including:

• Pneumatics, the use of pressurized gases to do work
  • Pneumatic post, using capsules to move paper and small goods through tubes.
  • Air tools
• Vehicle propulsion (see compressed air vehicle)
• Energy storage (see compressed air energy storage)
• Air brakes, including—
  • railway braking systems
  • road vehicle braking systems
• Scuba diving, for breathing and to inflate buoyancy devices
• Refrigeration using a vortex tube
• Gas dusters for cleaning electronic components that cannot be cleaned with water
• Air-start systems in engines
• Ammunition propulsion in—
  • Air guns
  • Airsoft equipment
  • Paintball equipment