SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

To minimize personal injury and equipment damage when using compressed gases, observe all practical operating safety precautions, including the following:

Do NOT use compressed air to clean parts of your body or clothing or to perform general space cleanup instead of sweeping.

NEVER attempt to stop or repair a leak while the leaking portion is still under pressure. Always isolate. depressurize. and tag out the portion of the system to be repaired.

Avoid the application of heat to the air piping system or components, and avoid striking a sharp, heavy blow on any pressurized part of the piping system.

Avoid rapid operation of manual valves. The heat of compression caused by a sudden high-pressure flow into an empty line or vessel can cause an explosion if oil is present. Valves should be slowly cracked open until air flow is noted and should be kept in this position until pressures on both sides of the valve have equalized. The rate of pressure rise should be kept under 200 psi per second, if possible. Valves may then be opened fully.

Do NOT subject compressed gas cylinders to temperatures greater than 130F. Remember, any pressurized system can be hazardous to your health if it is not maintained and operated carefully and safely.

REVIEW 2 QUESTIONS

Q1. What two properties allow gas the ability to yield to force and return to its original condition when the force is removed?

Q2. What law states that when the temperature of a gas is constant, the volume of enclosed gas varies inversely with pressure?

Q3. What four qualities should the ideal gas have for apneumatic system?

Q4. What is the most undesirable quality of compressed air when used as a fluid medium for a pneumatic system?

Q5. A pneumatic system with an operating pressure of 500 psi is known as what type of system?

Q6. What are the three designs of air compressors?

Q7. What device in a rotary air compressor removes oil from the compressed air before the air leaves the service valves?