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Air Receiver
An air receiver is a pressure vessel used for storing compressed air. Also called an air compressor tank, the receiver’s primary purpose is to receive air from the compressor and hold a reservoir under pressure for future use. Think of it as temporary storage for when demand exceeds a compressor’s immediate capacity.
An air receiver tank also functions as a buffer between the air compressor and the system at large, improving your compression system’s overall efficiency and reliability.
FAQs
The primary purpose of an air receiver is storage, holding compressed air under pressure so it’s available when needed, even if the compressor isn’t running at that moment. These functional tanks also serve other critical roles in a compressed air system:
- Pressure stabilization: The stored air in a receiver maintains a more stable operating pressure, helping to prevent damaging fluctuations from compressor cycling or varying air usage.
- System efficiency: A receiver keeps your compressor from running constantly to meet peak demands, reducing overall energy consumption and ensuring more efficient operation.
- Moisture separation: As air cools in the receiver tank, water vapor condenses and collects at the bottom along with contaminants for easier removal.
- Demand buffer: The presence of a buffer during fluctuating demands minimizes how often the compressor needs to cycle on and off, helping reduce wear and extend equipment life.
Equipping your air compressor with an air receiver tank offers numerous benefits, including:
- Delivering compressed air at a consistent pressure
- Reducing compressor cycling
- Improving tool performance and process quality
- Protecting equipment
- Providing an emergency supply of compressed air
- Removing condensation and contaminants
Many businesses have two air receivers — a primary tank positioned close to the air compressor and a secondary receiver situated closer to the end-use application. The two vessels serve different functions:
- Primary receiver: Acts as a large central storage reservoir, protecting the compressed air supply when demands are high
- Secondary receiver: Serves as localized storage for high-demand processes and specific equipment, increasing efficiency at the point of use
Air receivers ease the high demand of your compression system by storing a specific volume of compressed air at a particular pressure. However, the tank cannot properly function if it’s too small. Selecting the right size receiver is essential, as this ensures the vessel is either large enough for your system or properly backed by secondary receivers.
When choosing the right size air receiver, here’s a good guideline to follow if you know your compressor’s volumetric airflow rate, measured in cubic feet per minute (cfm). For every 1 cfm of air your compressor delivers, your air receiver tank should have a capacity of about 3 to 4 gallons. So, if your compressor produces 10 cfm, you’d want an air receiver tank that holds 30 to 40 gallons.
Our knowledgeable air experts at Quincy Compressor can pair you with an air receiver that meets all your requirements. If you need help finding the right size air compressor tank to improve system performance, we invite you to use our compressed air system storage calculator or speak with our team.