Safety hazard of air compressor

There are many hidden dangers in the operation of the air compressor, which may come from the design of the equipment itself, operating conditions, maintenance conditions and the behavior of the operator. The following is a detailed analysis of the safety hazards of air compressors:

hidden dangers in 1. equipment design and operating conditions

1. risk of overtemperature and overpressure:
   • during the operation of the air compressor, the temperature rises due to air compression. If the cooling system fails or the design is unreasonable, it may cause the compressor components (such as cylinders, air reservoirs, and air delivery pipelines) to overheat, which may cause an explosion.
   • The mechanical temperature of the compressor should be strictly controlled within the allowable range to avoid safety accidents caused by overtemperature.
2. Lubricant-related risks:
   • mixing of atomized lubricating oil or its decomposition products with compressed air may cause an explosion.
   • If the compressor oil seal and lubrication system does not meet the requirements, it may cause a large amount of oil, hydrocarbons, etc. to enter the low-lying parts of the system (such as flanges, valves, bellows, etc.), and gradually be atomized, oxidized, coking, Carbonization and decomposition become potential conditions for explosion under the action of high-pressure gas.
3. System Cleanliness Issues:
   • moist air and irregular cleaning of the system may cause rust on the inner wall of the pipe, which will peel off under the action of high-speed gas and become a source of ignition.
   • The large dust content in the air is easy to form carbon deposits, which can lead to spontaneous combustion and explosion under high temperature overheating, mechanical impact and airflow impact.
4. Mechanical strength and vibration problems:
   • if the mechanical strength of the compressed part of the compression system does not meet the standard, it may crack under high pressure.
   • Unstable and surge conditions in the air compression process may cause a sudden increase in the temperature of the medium, increasing the risk of explosion.
   • Pipeline vibration may also cause explosion accidents.

Hazards of 2. maintenance status

1. cooling system fault:
   • failure of the cooling water system (e. g. terminal, insufficient water supply or high water temperature) may lead to ultra-high temperature in the compressor, thermal cracking of the lubricating oil to form carbon deposits, which may lead to spontaneous combustion and explosion.
2. Lube oil system fault:
   • the failure of the oil injection pump or the lubricating oil system may lead to insufficient or interrupted lubricating oil supply, which makes the mechanical lubrication effect of the compressor poor, and friction heating becomes the ignition source of fire and explosion.
3. Incomplete cleaning and sewage discharge:
   • if the air compressor is not completely blown off after overhaul and installation, stains and impurities may be left between the air storage tank and the pipeline, causing combustion and explosion.
   • If the condensed oil and water in the cooler and gas storage tank are not discharged in time, it may also cause local stains or sparks to cause explosion.

Hidden dangers in 3. operation behavior

1. improper operation:
   • during repair and installation work, flammable liquids such as wipes, kerosene, gasoline, etc. fall into the cylinder, air reservoir and air duct, which may cause explosion when the air compressor is started.
   • Improper cleaning with compressed air (e. g. blowing away clothes or workplace dirt) may result in personal injury and equipment damage.
2. Lack of protection:
   • the risk of injury may be increased if the operator does not wear appropriate protective equipment (such as goggles) during the operation related to the air compressor.

4. other safety hazards

1. electrical equipment failure:
   • after the air compressor runs for a long time, each connection point of the electrical equipment may be loosened due to vibration and other effects, causing sparks to cause fire.
2. Ambient environmental safety hazard:
   • combustibles (such as oil stains, rags, wires, etc.) around the air compressor, if not properly managed, may increase the risk of fire.

5. preventive measures

1. periodic maintenance inspection:
   • regularly maintain and inspect the air compressor and its supporting equipment to ensure the normal operation of the cooling system and lubrication system.
   • Always check the air pipe and hose for damage and repair or replace it in time.
2. Strictly abide by the operating procedures:
   • operators should strictly abide by the operating procedures and safety specifications for operation.
   • Improper cleaning with compressed air is prohibited.
3. Strengthen safety protection:
   • operators shall wear appropriate protective equipment during operation.
   • Ensure the air compressor and its surroundings are clean and tidy to reduce the risk of fire.
4. Installation of safety devices:
   • necessary safety devices (such as pressure display and overpressure adjustment alarm system) are installed on the air compressor and its supporting equipment to monitor the operation status of the equipment in real time and prevent the occurrence of safety accidents.

The above preventive measures can effectively reduce the safety hazards in the operation of the air compressor and improve the safety and reliability of the equipment.