All tools and machines come in a specific rating. You operate that device/tool on that rating to come up with desired results. But sometimes, you have to enhance that rating for some specific jobs. Just like, when you have to do a spray-painting job.
In today’s session, I will take you over to the best ways to increase the CFM on an air compressor effectively. So, let’s get right in!
What is CFM?
CFM stands for cubic feet per minute. It is an extremely important term when it comes to the air compressor. It is actually a volumetric flow rate coming out of the compressor.
The relation of CFM is direct with the application of air compressor because it tells about the flow rate for some specific usage.
Methods to Increase CFM
Following are some best ways that you can adopt to increase the CFM of your air compressor.
- By decreasing pressure
- Using two compressors
- Actuating valves
- Adding another air receiver tank
By Decreasing Pressure
The first, very efficient technique to do so is by decreasing pressure. Now, if we talk about the power rating, every compressor has its own power rating. The relation of this power is found by multiplying pressure with the flow rate. Now, it is pretty clear that if we keep the power constant and decrease the pressure so, to keep the power constant, the flow rate has to increase.
Therefore, it is pretty useful to go with this approach because the relationship is quite straightforward.
To adjust the pressure, you will find a regulator on the compressor. By dialling it down, you can lower down the value of pressure pretty easily.
Using Two Compressor
The next useful technique is to connect two compressors. This will help in adding up their flow rates and give you a higher value for your usage.
The method to do this goes like this;
Connect two separate hoses to the compressors. Once done, take another hose and connect it to the two hoses. There should be three holes in the third one.
The third hose will now act as input and output for the medium. Two holes will act as input, during the third one as output.
Now, connect the output of the third hose with your air tool, and it’s done
Actuating Valves
First of all, to ensure a better flow rate, you should take care of the check valves because the air should not return to the compressor to blow it away. Therefore, check valves in the connecting line are of utmost importance.
You can do pressure adjustment using a pressure regulating valve as well. This will help in adjusting the flow rate.
Adding another Air Receiver Tank
If we make the adjustments to prevent the cut-out pressure from reaching earlier, we can enhance the flow rate. Adding another air receiver tank helps efficiently in this process. It will allow the compressor to fill both the tanks and offer greater storage of air.
It means that the compressor is filling a larger volume. So, ultimately it takes you to a higher flow rate.
But you have to keep in mind that it enhances the CFM of compressed air and not the air compressor. Thus, you are having a greater flow rate of compressed air.
This is a pretty interesting technique to enhance your yield and can be effectively used at places where you need a higher volume of compressed air.
The duty cycle also plays an important role. Many parameters owe their occurrence to the duty cycle. A better duty cycle means better performance.
So, you can follow this procedure if it meets your needs. Otherwise, alternatives are mentioned above as well.
Conclusion
I have mentioned the best ways to increase the CFM of your air compressor. You can go for a specific technique owing to your need. I would suggest you try these methods out for better learning. So that, when the need arose, you would know what to do.
CFM is a pretty interesting and useful factor. It helps you have better control while doing a particular job using an air compressor. Therefore, you should have a better idea of it for better results.