Industries usually have much uncertainty associated with them. The equipment that serves industrial purposes must be able to operate reliably and effectively within an environment that has numerous variables, such as offshore platforms, chemical manufacturing plants, mining operations, and manufacturing plants. These examples of industrial environments highlight the importance of selecting a power source for sustaining safe, efficient, uninterrupted operations of industrial processes.
Teryair recognizes the challenges of successfully providing equipment for industrial environments and has been a leader in developing air motors, which are now widely used by many companies and industries operating in high-hazard, high-severity work areas. The air-powered motor offers consistent, reliable power without the need to rely on electricity for either the operation of the motor or for converting electricity, making it well-suited for situations requiring a safe, long-lasting performance.
This article is designed to discuss the performance characteristics of air-powered motors in these types of hostile work environments and why air motors continue to provide customers with dependable solutions for industrial operations in all parts of the world.
Parameters Of An Air Motor
An air motor is an example of a device that converts compressed air energy into motion (mechanical). Air motors are able to produce rotational output (shaft rotation, axial motion) via pneumatic force rather than electrical power and, at a simple level, with no need for any complex electrical or electronic components associated with an electric motor.
This fundamental principle offers many benefits to several industries and applications. Some of these benefits include applications that may be affected by water, dust, flammable gases, or extreme temperatures.
With a tough built design and the ability to operate in flexible configurations, air motors have been adopted by many industries that require reliable performance in harsh conditions.
Industries In Hazardous Locations Require Unique Equipment
Hazardous locations generally possess certain environmental risks that result in a higher risk of operation than a normal location. These risks might be associated with various environmental conditions such as:
- The presence of flammable gases/vapor
- The presence of explosive dust particles
- The presence of corrosive chemicals
- High humidity
- Extreme temperature variations
- Extensive contact with contaminants
Although traditional electric motors could create problems in hazardous locations, such as creating an electrical spark or overheating, many of the risks associated with traditional electric motors are removed when using air-powered systems, since air-powered systems do not create an ignition source electrically. This advantage of inherent safety makes air motors a viable option for many applications in which safety continues to be a concern.
The Spark-Free Operation Enhancing Safety
One of the key benefits of air-powered technology is that they operate without sparks.
Facilities that handle hazardous chemicals, fuels, solvents, or combustible materials are at great risk of serious consequences from even the slightest electric spark. Because air motors operate on compressed air and not electricity, they greatly reduce the possibility of ignition.
Air motors are therefore ideally suited for the following types of facilities:
- Chemical Processing
- Oil and Gas Industry
- Paint Manufacturing
- Marine
- Pharmaceutical Production
By creating a spark-free environment, businesses can increase safety in the workplace while continuing to use reliable equipment.
Moisture And Humidity Resistance
Moisture is a common problem in almost all types of industrial facilities because they contain very high levels of humidity, leading to problems such as corrosion, malfunctioning equipment, and decreased reliability of machinery.
One factor contributing to the popularity of vane-type air motors in industrial settings is their ability to work in wet and humid environments without the use of any type of electric circuit, which helps them to be less susceptible to failure due to moisture.
Because of this, they are well suited for a wide variety of applications, including:
- Marine industry operations
- Shipbuilding and assembly facilities
- Water treatment plant facilities
- Food processing and packaging facilities
- Outdoors or exposed to climate conditions
Reliable performance of air motors in moisture-prone environments reduces maintenance costs and increases production rates.
Dusty And Contaminated Condition Performance
Dust and airborne particles generated by mining operations, construction sites, and materials handling operations can present great challenges to electronic and electrical system reliability.
Some air motors have built-in ruggedness in their designs so that they can withstand harsh environmental conditions.
In addition to their simple designs, they provide electric motors in a ruggedized setup that provides sufficient protection against the damaging effects of dust or airborne particles.
This means that companies can provide their operations with the ability to continue to produce without having to stop frequently for environmental reasons.
The Benefits Of Rotary Vane Air Motors
One of the many different types of air motors on the market. They are the most popular design for air motor applications.
The rotary air motor works by using vanes that rotate in a rotor assembly to provide rotational movement from compressed air.
- Small physical size
- High power-to-weight ratio
- Smooth speed control
- Reliable start-up torque
- Efficient operation at various load conditions
Because of these characteristics, rotary vane technology can be used in many different types of industrial applications where continuing performance is required.
Versatile Capability Across Multiple Industries
A major component of a pneumatic electric motor’s effectiveness is how versatile it can be across multiple industries. An Air vane motor that is sized correctly for the application can be used in applications such as:
- Agitation & mixing systems
- Conveyors
- Pump drive
- Hoists/winches
- Industrial tooling
- Material handling
This versatility allows companies to standardize their equipment across several operations while maintaining consistent performance. Because of their flexibility, pneumatic electric motors can be an excellent choice in any industry that has widely varying operational requirements.
Simple Maintenance
A piece of equipment is going to be used in a harsh environment and should operate consistently and be easy to maintain. An important benefit of a vane-type air motor is that it has a fairly simple design. Because of the fewer/easier-to-maintain electrical parts, the maintenance procedures are usually easier to complete than other drive means.
Regular maintenance usually includes:
- Checking the air quality
- Checking for lubrication
- Inspecting parts of the motor that wear out
- Checking for the correct level of air pressure
The simple design of the motor assists in reducing maintenance costs while assisting with long-term reliability.
Corrosion-Resistant Systems
Processing operations, chemical facilities, and marine installations often expose machinery and equipment to corrosive chemicals, which can cause premature wear and tear.
Air vane motor products are typically made with corrosion-resistant materials and coatings to prevent damage from these environments.
When used with non-electric designs, air motors are ideal for use in environments that require operation in a chemical, salt-water, or aggressive environment.
Longer lifespans and lower replacement costs for air motors are a result of their ability to deliver reliable performance in corrosive environments.
Why The Industry Is Still Using Air Motors
As companies are focused on safety, efficiency, and reliability, pneumatic power continues to be a reliable choice for difficult applications. Companies select air motors due to:
- No risk of sparks
- Reliable operation in hazardous areas
- Resistant to moisture and contaminants
- Continuous duty rated
- Easy to maintain
- Allows for a range of speeds
- Long life cycle
As a result of these advantages, air-powered systems are an integral part of numerous industrial processes around the world.
Summary
A harsh or hazardous environment requires reliable and efficient power equipment but also safe equipment. Air-powered technologies are extremely valuable in some of the toughest industrial applications in the world, including oil and gas (offshore platforms), manufacturing plants, and mining operations.
The pneumatic engineered solutions provided by Teryair have been designed to provide maximum performance where reliability is critical. Whether your applications require moisture resistance, explosion-proof operation, or dependable continuous load operations, the use of air-powered motors will give you a practical and proven solution.
As a combination of safety, durability, and flexibility, every industrial customer relies on air-powered motors for their dependable power solutions when conventional mechanical systems are not practical.
Air motors operate using compressed air instead of electricity, eliminating the risk of electrical sparks and making them ideal for explosive or flammable environments.
Air motors are widely used in oil & gas, chemical processing, marine, mining, manufacturing, and water treatment industries where reliability and safety are critical.
A rotary vane air motor can operate efficiently across a wide temperature range and is less prone to overheating, making it suitable for continuous-duty applications.
A vane type air motor performs reliably in wet and humid conditions because it does not rely on electrical components that may be affected by moisture.
Air motors generally have a simple design with fewer complex components, resulting in lower maintenance requirements and dependable long-term performance when properly maintained.
