Additional Compression, Cooling and Moisture Separation After this, it is ready for the next stage. Once this occurs, the air is then cooled again and passes through a moisture separator. This time, it’s compressed to a pressure between 800 and 1,000 psi. The air, which has just been slightly compressed and cooled, now enters the next stage, whereby it gets compressed again. More Compression, More Cooling and Moisture Separation This is why scuba compressors are equipped with a coil or intercooler, which helps dissipate this heat before the air continues to the next stage. In the first stage, the scuba compressor will take air in via its intake filter, after which it will compress the air to approximately 100 to 140 psi when pushing the air out.
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The process by which a scuba compressor compresses air is complex, and a full explanation is beyond this article’s scope, but we will provide an overview of the four basic stages: 1. Once the moisture is removed, the compressed air then goes through a series of activated carbon filters that remove numerous hydrocarbons and render carbon monoxide (CO) harmless. To ensure the air supply is clean, scuba compressors are equipped with a series of filters and moisture separators that remove moisture and various other contaminants.
![air tank volume calculator scuba air tank volume calculator scuba](https://www.inchcalculator.com/a/img/tank-volume/vertical-capsule-tank.png)
It is safe to breathe air from a scuba compressor as long as it is filtered appropriately. Air compressors for scuba diving, unlike most other types of compressors, are designed to provide breathable, clean air, as contaminated air could lead to serious health problems or even death. QualityĬompressed air for scuba diving must be clean. Regular air compressors can only provide a small fraction of this pressure. Scuba compressors differ from regular air compressors in two primary ways:Ī scuba tank generally must be filled at very high pressures, roughly 3,000 pounds per square inch (psi). This type of compressor also supplies air for firefighters and the oxygen tanks you find in hospitals. A scuba compressor is a high-pressure air compressor system designed to fill the tank that a diver uses to breathe underwater. You cannot use a regular air compressor for scuba diving, as it differs significantly from models designed for underwater use. If you’re new to diving or are interested in taking up the sport, we will provide you with a useful overview of scuba dive compressors and some handy maintenance tips.ĭifferences Between Regular Air Compressors vs. For this reason, all divers should understand how a diving air compressor works, plus how to maintain it and perform basic repairs. Compressed air plays an important role in many fields and industries, but when it comes to scuba diving, high-quality, breathable compressed air is critical.