There have been various occasions where a tank of a compressor holding air explodes. One of the main causes that result in the explosion of an air tank is the corrosion of the tank from when water condensates. The majority of the manufacturers of all air compressor companies insist that the tanks should be drained on a regular basis after each use. In order to test the compressor tank, the only sure method is to have it hydraulically pressure tested. Plus, placing a heavy-duty cage made of wires around the compressor would stop debris from flying if the compressor tank ever blows up. Since replacing a tank is an expensive option, it is always best to keep up with the maintenance of the air compressor in order to avoid the hassle of replacing it. Do not expect your air compressor tanks to run smoothly without regular upkeeps.
CAUSE OF EXPLOSION OF AIR COMPRESSOR TANKS.There have been incidents where the air holding tank of a compressor explodes. Although manufacturing defects can caused a tank to explode, the leading cause of air compressor tank rupture is corrosion of the tank from water condensate. In fact all air compressor tank manufacturers require that the tanks are drained on a daily basis after each use. Air Tank Explosion, Malvern, PA.An air compressor tank exploded while it was being used at a home shop. Make sure you drain your air tanks on a regular basis! Air Tank Explosion, White Plains, NY.This air tank compressor exploded in April 2009 at a homeowner’s garage in White Plains, NY. No one was injured when the tank failed. Air Compressor Tank Explosion, Newark, NJ.This air tank compressor failed due to improper maintenance.
In the past, there have been cases where the air holding tank on a compressor exploded. While the death was due to an explosion of a commercial air compressor, consumer air compressor explosions can also cause injury. Manufacturing defects may be at fault during an explosion, but the leading cause of a compressor rupture is corrosion by water inside the tank. Most cases of an exploding air compressor tank result from an individual failing to follow the guidelines listed in their owner’s manual. When it comes to air compressor tanks, corrosion is the leading cause of explosions. Many air compressor manufacturers advise that you drain the tank after each use. You will want to strike the tank all over since corrosion might be limited to one spot on the tank’s inside.
04-29-2014, 07:15 PM #1 Air Compressor tanks DO explode There are people that insist they don’t and will just leak slowly when they rust. 04-29-2014, 07:47 PM #2. 04-29-2014, 07:57 PM #3. 04-29-2014, 08:00 PM #4 I knew an old machinist that made his own air compressor from old parts he found. One day he was using the air compressor and got a phone call… After the call he remembered that the machine was still running and just as he reached down to unplug the machine it exploded…. He then spent 12 years sitting in a recliner during the day and lying in a bed at night. Air reservoir is aluminium for weight savings like many parts on the loco. 04-29-2014, 08:38 PM #7 The t&d guy I was learning from once inflated the skin from his hand on unregulated air. Equally then its a case of following the standards and fitting a safety valve that will vent a suitable margin before that pressure and especially on forums like this, one that can vent enough to dissipate full compressor output. The standards reguarding tanks are well written, freely available on line and when adhered to have a long record of proven safety too! Would be real interesting to know if the safety valves were functioning in these cases and if it was a over pressure, not just corrosion based fail.
An air compressor is a device that compresses the air to create pressure. An air compressor explosion occurs occasionally, but why? One of the common causes is condensation inside the air tank, which causes corrosion, or a manufacturing flaw. What Can Cause an Air Compressor to Explode or Blow Up? Remember that the air compressor already contains every element that will cause tank explosions, such as heat, fuel, and oxygen. In the case of a damaged air compressor or a compressor manufactured with low-quality parts, the air compressor can explode. If air compressor tanks overheat, it can cause the pressure within the cylinder to increase up to 2000 PSI, leading to an explosion of compressed air tanks. A poorly installed air compressor may suffer leaks or damage from poor wiring, resulting in an air compressor explosion. When the outside of your air compressor tank develops rust, it could signal corrosion of internal parts, such as the gaskets and valves, which can cause an air compressor explosion.
66,000 ft-lb x.8 x.8 = 42,240 ft-lbs of “Work” or “Energy” available. Jumping into SI units for a moment, where work=energy is measured in joules, we have 59,136 J. Which is more energy than the muzzle energy of a ‘elephant gun’, about the energy contained in the combustion of 1 gram of gasoline, more than the energy contained in 1 gram of TNT, about the energy in a car moving about 25 mph, etc, etc, etc. Less than the energy contained in a 280 calorie candy bar. That’s a rough measure of how much “Energy” has been input into the ‘system’ and is now stored in that compressed air in the tank. You have a bigger tank with a bigger motor that takes longer to fill up? Then even more energy is stored in that tank full of compressed air. Which is ‘good’, because we can then use that energy from the compressed air to do some useful things, like turning it back into some sort of mechanical work like an impact wrench or a die grinder or whatever pneumatic tool you want to use at the moment. Respect the energy that is contained in compressed gases and maintain the equipment.
do air compressors ever explode Related Question:
What causes an air compressor to explode?
Whenever dust, dirt, and mineral scales accumulate on the condenser coil, the air conditioning system cannot evacuate enough heat generated, forcing it to operate continually to chill the room. Because of the higher temperature and pressure, the compressor may overheat and explode.
What pressure will air compressor explode?
If air compressor tanks overheat, it can cause the pressure within the cylinder to increase up to 2000 PSI, leading to an explosion of compressed air tanks.
Do air compressors explode in fire?
Risk of fire or explosion with air compressor motor Electrical contacts within the air compressor motor or pressure switch can spark, creating a risk for fire or explosion. Serious overheating caused by the restriction of ventilation openings in the air compressor also poses a risk of fire.
Can an air compressor explode in cold weather?
All compressed air system components are vulnerable to damage in cold weather because of the way that condensate moves through the system. Frozen condensate can cause air or water blockages in air compressor accessories and receiver tanks.
Can a rusted air compressor tank explode?
Rust. If the tank is not drained daily, liquid can accumulate in the bottom of the tank over time. This liquid can corrode the bottom interior of the tank, eventually leading to the air pressure inside rupturing the weakened metal and causing an explosion.
What is the life expectancy of an air compressor?
SGS Engineers states that reciprocating air compressors can have a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years (Source). However, our field experience at VMAC suggests that reciprocating air compressors rarely last this length of time, and 5-10 years is a more realistic estimate with appropriate maintenance.
Should you leave air in compressor?
With so much air under so much pressure, can you leave an air compressor full? The short answer is yes, it is perfectly safe to leave an air compressor full. However, this assumes that it has been properly maintained, with regular draining to remove accumulated moisture from inside the tank.
How often should you drain your air compressor?
It is recommended that you drain your tank daily, whether it is manually or automatically. Water build up in your tank can cause the bottom of your tank to rust forcing you to invest in a new tank. If you find yourself forget about draining your tank, you should look into purchasing an electronic drain valve.
Are air compressor tanks safe?
Air compressor tanks may look good on the outside, but unseen interior damage can pose serious dangers. If in doubt, replace your unit. When replacing units, always dispose of them properly.
What happens if you leave an air compressor on all night?
Part Failure Should a seal or hose fail at any point in the night, your compressor will run nonstop to try and fill an open tank. If your compressor runs all night without stopping because of a hose split, the risk of a catastrophic motor failure goes up significantly.
What are the dangers of an air compressor?
What are some of the most common hazards related to air compressors? They include electrical dangers, fumes, flying particles, high pressures and high noise levels. Electrical dangers: If an outlet isn’t grounded correctly, it can result in electrical shocks for your operators or irreparable damage for the machine.
Is a compressor flammable?
Since compressor oil is very flammable, it can cause a life-threatening explosion when it is exposed to air under extreme pressure. Always inspect your Air Compressor equipment for any leaks, but especially for oil ones. The majority of air compressors run on Oil or have a chamber to contain it.
Can air compressors be outside?
Moving your compressor outside can be done, however it does come at a risk to your business and your compressor. If you do decide to install it outside, please make sure to keep it covered, insulate your machine & regularly check and maintain.
Can you keep an air compressor outside in the winter?
Temperature: No industrial air compressor should be operating in temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and many experts recommend keeping your compressor room around or above 45 degrees during the winter.
Will compressor oil freeze?
Temperatures below 5°C/41°F can thicken compressor oil and freeze condensate, leading to decreased compressor performance and increased propensity for breakdowns.
