Compressed Air Systems

“…order up a two-can jam in the

back of the bus!”

- EM2(SS) Barrow
 Introduction
• Air systems are vital to ship operations
• Starting diesel and gas turbine engines
• Torpedo ejection
• Deballasting air (EMBT Blow)
• Prairie masker
• Compressed air represents stored energy -
capable of doing work at a later point
• Used extensively both in high pressure and
low pressure applications
 Air Compressors
• Used to compress air from inlet pressure
(atm) to a higher pressure (PV a RT)
• Classified according to:
• Type of displacement
• Staging
• Type of Drive (prime mover)
• Operating Pressure
• Capacity
 Air Compressors
• Type of displacement
• Positive: used for high pressures
• Non-positive: used for lower pressures
• Staging
• Number of compression steps used in
compression process
• Type of drive system
• Classified according to prime mover (almost all
electric motors)
 Air Compressors
• Operating (discharge) pressure
• Low (<151 #)
• Medium (151-1000 #)
• High (>1000 #)
• Capacity
• Volume of air compressed
• CFM (cubic feet per minute)
 Positive Displacement
• Reciprocating
Piston
• Piston assembly
with valves to
control flow
• Can either be
single stage or
multi-stage
 Positive Displacement
• Rotary
Compressor
• Rotary sliding vane
(not used)
• Rotary impeller
(low press/ high
CFM applications)
• Liquid piston (not
used much)
 Positive Displacement
• Rotary
Compressor
• Rotary sliding vane
(not used)
• Rotary impeller
(low press/ high
CFM applications)
• Liquid piston (not
used much)
 Positive Displacement
• Rotary
Compressor
• Rotary sliding vane
(not used)
• Rotary impeller
(low press/ high
CFM applications)
• Liquid piston (not
used much)
 Non-Positive Displacement

• Centrifugal compressor
• Radial flow
• Axial Compressor
• Axial Flow
 Support Systems
• Cooling
• Most cooled by fresh water systems
• Remove heat from compression process
• Intercoolers used between stages
• Aftercooler used after final discharge
• Receivers
• Storage tanks for reserve air capacity
• Used on ALL compressors to lower pulsations
• Safety features
• Auto shutdown
 Specific Uses of Air
• High Pressure
• Torpedo Ejection
• Emergency Blow
• Hydraulics
• Remotely-operated valves
• Low Pressure
• Prairie Masker system
• Potable water
• Pneumatic tools & valves
Questions?