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Compressed Air

Media

Compressed Air

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Compressed air is the driving force behind all air blast systems, suction and pressure.  The air must be clean, free of condensation and oil that will interfere with the flow of and contaminate the blast media and parts being blasted.

The volume of air consumed when blasting is referred to in CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute).  There are two variables that will determine the CFM of compressed air required for the air blast process, nozzle orifice size for pressure systems and air jet orifice size for suction blast systems.  If there is more than one blast nozzle, the CFM required for one nozzle will be multiplied by the total number of nozzles.

Consideration must also be given for the erosion of the pressure nozzle orifice.  As the nozzle orifice increases, CFM must increase to maintain the same blast pressure.  Compensate for pressure nozzle wear when using the “Compressed Air Requirements” chart; increase the Nozzle Diameter by 1/16 in. for nozzles 1/8 in. through 5/16 in.  Increase the Nozzle Diameter by 1/8 in. for nozzles 3/8 in. and larger.  This will ensure adequate CFM to maintain blast pressure when blasting with a worn nozzle.

Find the appropriate Nozzle Diameter for a pressure nozzle or Air Jet Size for a suction gun in the left column of the chart.  Follow the Nozzle Diameter or Air Jet Size row across the chart to the column of the anticipated blast pressure.  The number in the common box will be the CFM required for that nozzle size or air jet at that blast pressure.

COMPRESSED AIR REQUIREMENTS – Air Flow Through Pressure Blast Nozzle (CFM)

Blast Pressure  Nozzle Diameter (in.)	20	25	30	35	40	45	50	60	70	80	90	100	120
1/18	7	7	8	9	10	12	13	14	15	17	19	20
3/16	15	16	18	20	22	24	26	30	33	38	41	45
1/4	27	30	32	37	41	45	49	55	61	68	74	81	97
5/16	42	46	50	57	64	70	76	88	101	113	126	137	152
3/8	55	63	73	82	91	100	109	126	143	161	173	196	220
7/16	72	85	99	112	124	137	149	170	194	217	240	254	300
1/2	96	112	129	146	163	179	194	224	252	280	309	338	392
5/8								356	404	452	504	548	611

COMPRESSED AIR REQUIREMENTS – Air Flow Through Suction Blast Gun (CFM)

Nozzle Size (in.)	Air Jet Size (in.)	30	40	50	60	70	80	90	100
1/4	1/8	10	12	15	17	19	21	23	26
5/16	5/32	15	19	23	27	31	37	38	42
3/8	3/16	24	29	35	39	45	50	56	62
7/16	7/32	31	38	45	52	59	66	73	80

General rule for sizing compressors: 4 CFM per Horsepower
Example: 4 CFM/HP x 5 HP = 20 CFM

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