UNIT – IV PNEUMATIC

AND ELECTRO
PNEUMATIC SYSTEMS
INTRODUCTION TO PNEUMATIC
SYSTEM
INTRODUCTION

• Pneumatics – Greek work pneuma, which means “wind”

• Pneumatics – “branch of fluid power that uses compressed air to
transmit and control the forces and movements of certain
mechanisms”
• Compressed air, works in the same way the mechanical springs does.
It stores energy when it is being compressed and release the same
when it is allowed
• Pressure range – 6 to 8 bar, which can generate of around maximum
of force of 50 kN.
APPLICATIONS
OTHER APPLICATIONS

• Automobile painting
• Pneumatic jackhammer
• Drill machine used by dentists
• Filling compressed air in tyre
IN FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRY

• It is clean and keep dirt free environment whereas hydraulic makes

system environment dirty
• There is less chances that compressed air is dusty and getting mix
with food and contaminate it. Whereas single drop of oil from hydraulic
system can contaminate the food
ADVANTAGES OF PNEUMATIC SYSTEMS

• Air is available in unlimited quantities

• Compressed air is easily conveyed in pipelines even over longer distances
• Compressed air can be stored
• Compressed air need not be returned. It can be vented to atmosphere after
it has performed work
• Compressed air is insensitive to temperature fluctuation. This ensure reliable
operation even in extreme temperature conditions
• Compressed air is clean. This is especially important in food,
pharmaceutical, textile industries
• Operating elements for compressed air operation are of simple and
inexpensive construction
• Compressed air is fast. Thus, high operational speed can be attained
• Speeds and forces of the pneumatic elements can be infinitely
adjusted
• Pneumatic systems are not explosive in nature
• It carries relatively low running cost
DISADVANTAGES

• Preparation of air means removing unwanted particles of dust,

condensates etc. this require additional equipment's which makes it
expensive
• Due to compressible nature of air, it is very difficult to achieve uniform
and constant speed of actuators
• It is economically upto the operating pressure range of 6 to 8 bars
• It produces high noise at the exhaust.
• Because of low heat conductivity of air, it cannot dissipate heat as
much as hydraulic system
PROPERTIES OF AIR

• Chemical properties:
• Air is colourless
• Odourless
• Tasteless
• Physical properties
• Air exhibits all properties of fluid, at rest as well as in motion
• Air has weight, because the weight of air varies with pressure and
temperature
• Air has volume
• Air usually contains water vapour
• Air has temperature
CHARACTERISTICS OF COMPRESSED AIR

• Abundance of air supply

• Convenient for storage
• Can be transported easily
• Less likely to vary with temperature
• Gives optimum speed for operation
• Clean source of energy
• Can be regulate easily
• Overload proof
COMPARISON OF PNEUMATIC WITH
HYDRAULIC SYSTEM
Hydraulic system Pneumatic system

It uses pressurized liquid for power It uses compressed gas

transmission
It can operate at a higher pressures (upto 700 Upto 10bar
bars)`
Transportation of hydraulic liquid is difficult Easy transportation due to low density

Closed system Open system

System get affected severely if leakage occurs System is not much affected because of
leakage
System is quite robust in construction Simple in construction

Valve operations are difficult Valve operations are easy

Hydraulic system Pneumatic system

System is heavier in weight Light weight

No requirement of any preparation of fluid Air preparation is required

Pumps are used to pressurize the liquid Compressors are used to compress the air and
raise its pressure
System is unsafe o fire hazard System is free from fire hazards

Hydraulic oil itself acts as a lubricant Additional arrangement need to be provided

for the lubrication
BOYLE’S LAW

• If a given mass of a gas is compressed or expanded at a constant

temperature, then the absolute pressure is inversely proportional to
the volume
CHARLES LAW

• If a given mass of a gas is heated or cooled at a constant pressure,

then the volume is directly proportional to the absolute temperature
GAY – LUSSAC’S LAW

• At constant volume, the absolute pressure of an ideal gas will vary

directly with the absolute temperature
AIR COMPRESSORS

• Air compressors are machines designed to deliver gas at a pressure

higher than that originally existing.

Compressors

Positive
Rotodynamic
displacement
Positive displacement compressors
• Reciprocating compressors
• Rotary compressors
Reciprocating compressors
• Single acting
Rotodynamic compressors
• Double acting • Centrifugal
• Axial
• Diaphragm • Mixed
Rotary compressors

• Vane
• Lobe
• screw
SINGLE ACTING RECIPROCATING
COMPRESSOR
DOUBLE ACTING RECIPROCATING
COMPRESSOR
DIAPHRAGM COMPRESSORS
VANE COMPRESSOR
LOBE COMPRESSOR
SCREW COMPRESSOR