Inexpencsive source of high-pressure air- question to experts. 1

[xyzz]

Is there a relatively inexpensive way to produce low quantities of 200-300 bar compressed air?
The quantities required are very little- lets say 0.5-1 liter per 24hrs operation and the air is not for breathing.

 

[Montemayor]

xyzz:

Anytime you diminish the total amount of product in a process you should expect the unit cost to increase.

When you proceed to reduce the amount of 300-bar air down to 0.5 lt/24 hrs, you should really be in a very expensive range of air --- that is, unless you are next door to a large source of this air and you can buy the rather small quantity you seek from them at an incremental price.

Otherwise, get ready to confront a very expensive air cost.

I am citing the above not from textbooks or quoting anyone. I am relying on hands-on experience of many years in the business.

 

[quark]

You can get compressed air for about 150 barg that is generally being used for laboratory purpose. Here, it is called zero air (in the purest form) but like Mr Montemayor said, costs you heavily.

What about using nitrogen instead?

 

[zdas04]

In a recip, taking atmospheric air to 300 bar is 5 stages (if you limit each stage to under 4 compression ratios--if you need oil-free air then you're talking about a 9 stage centrifugal). I can't even comprehend the shape of the inter and after coolers for 0.5-1.0 l/day.

If you can't use nitrogen, then I would look at buying one oxygen and 4 nitrogen bottles and making my own air. You can get industrial gases at around 700 bar so you would be so much money ahead to let someone else do the compression on a reasonable scale.


David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering

http://www.muleshoe-eng.com

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

The harder I work, the luckier I seem

 

[xyzz]

Thank you for your replies.
Unfortunately, the key word in my question is to produce.
Size and weight are also considerations.
Is there anything less expensive than $2000+ piston compressors?
Maybe a pressure booster? Yes, I know about Haskel but their price is comparable to the mentioned compressors.
Is there a less expensive alternative?

 

[StoneCold]

Tell us why "produce" is important?
As apposed to simply "supply"?
Is it on the moon?


Regards
StoneCold

 

[xyzz]

No, but it is in field sometimes.
And even when not, it is far enough from possible suppliers.