Adsorption

Adhesion of gas or liquid molecules to a solid surface.

Heat of adsorption

Heat released when molecules adhere to the adsorbent.

Upstream

Direction toward the source/compressor in a line.

Yield strength

Stress limit before permanent deformation of steel.

Activated alumina

Highly porous aluminum oxide used to adsorb moisture.

Activated carbon

High surface area carbon used to filter oil vapor and odors.

Quench

Rapid cooling of hot gas streams.

Intercooler

Heat exchanger cooling air between compression stages.

Wear part

Consumable mechanical part needing regular replacement.

Nitrogen

Inert gas (78% of air) used to prevent oxidation.

Nitrogen generator

System generating N2 from compressed air using CMS.

Junction box

Terminal box for electrical and signal cables.

Maintenance kit

Set of parts for scheduled service intervals.

Bar (unit)

Pressure drop

Loss of pressure due to friction in filters or pipes.

Compressed air

Ambient air confined at a pressure higher than atmospheric.

Receiver tank

Vessel storing compressed air and buffering pressure.

Vessel

Tank or housing containing pressure > 0.5 bar.

Coalescing filter

Filter that merges micro droplets of water/oil for draining.

Booster compressor

Secondary compressor that elevates gas to higher pressures.

Piping

Network of tubes distributing compressed gas.

Unload cycle

Phase where motor runs but stops pumping air.

Yoke

U-shaped clamp holding cylinders or pipes.

Vapor

Gaseous form of water or oil.

Bypass valve

Valve directing flow around main equipment for maintenance.

Quick coupling

Push-to-lock fitting for pneumatic hoses.

Working pressure

Standard pressure maintained for system operation.

Check valve

Valve allowing fluid flow in one direction only.

Twin tower

Design where one tower operates while the other regenerates.

Dew point

Temperature at which water vapor condenses into liquid.

Zinc-plated

Galvanized coating preventing rust on metals.

Discharge pressure

Pressure of gas exiting a compressor or generator.

Joint

Component connecting two pipes leak-free.

Flow rate

Volume or mass of gas passing through per unit time.

Exhaust

Point where waste gas or purge air is released.

Intake filter

Rough filter catching dust before air enters the compressor.

Safety valve

Spring valve releasing excess pressure to prevent bursting.

Energy saving

Minimizing electricity consumption via optimization.

Instrument air

Highly filtered, dry air for pneumatic tools and sensors.

Trace moisture

Minimal, hard-to-measure water left in deep-dried air.

Filtration

Process of separating unwanted matter using physical barriers.

Filter

Hardware that removes dust, particles, and aerosols.

Element (filter)

Internal component that performs the actual filtration.

Filter housing

Outer casing that holds the filter element.

Gas generator

Refrigerated dryer

Dryer using refrigerant to cool air and condense water.

Expansion valve

Valve that rapidly expands and cools fluid.

Non-return valve

Device preventing backflow of high pressure.

Inlet pressure

Pressure of air entering a component.

Granule

Ultra-filter

Fine filter trapping 0.01 µm dust and aerosols.

Line filter

Standard filters installed along the pipeline.

Air compressor

Machine that decreases air volume to increase pressure.

Velocity

Speed of air/gas moving through piping.

Hose

Flexible pipe for transferring air/gas.

Heatless dryer

Desiccant dryer using expanding dry air for regeneration.

Wet air

Untreated compressed air with near 100% relative humidity.

Generator

Joule-Thomson effect

Temperature change of gas expanding through a valve.

Quality class

ISO standard rating for compressed air purity.

Carbon molecular sieve

Carbon filler in N2 generators that traps oxygen.

Zero-loss drain

Drain valve discharging water without losing air.

Journal bearing

Fluid-film bearing for high-speed rotors.

Weldment

Assembly joined securely by welding.

Kelvin

Desiccant

Hygroscopic substance used to absorb moisture.

Kinematic viscosity

Kinetic energy

Manifold

Pipe structure converging or dividing gas flow.

Condensate

Liquid mix of water and oil formed after air compression.

Xenon

Noble gas separated via cryogenic distillation.

Xerogel

Porous desiccant material similar to silica gel.

Xylene

Industrial solvent for cleaning dried oil off parts.

Quartz sensor

Vibration-based sensor for gas purity or dew point.

Tower (vessel)

High-pressure cylinder holding desiccant/sieve.

Dryer

Equipment that removes water vapor from compressed air.

Gauge pressure

Membrane

Micro-fiber tubes allowing selective gas permeation.

Micron

Unit of length (1 µm) for filter rating.

Quantity

Total mass, volume, or flow rate of the gas.

Absolute pressure

True pressure measured relative to a perfect vacuum.

Humidity

Amount of water vapor in the air or compressed gas.

Nominal flow

Capacity at standard reference conditions.

Nozzle

Narrowing part accelerating purge air.

O-ring

Circular rubber seal preventing pressure leaks.

Oxygen

Combustive gas (21% of air) used in multiple industries.

Oxygen generator

PSA system generating O2 using zeolite (ZMS).

Particulate

Solid dirt or dust particles of micron size.

Impeller

Rotating rotor in compressors that accelerates air.

Pressure Swing Ad.

Gas separation tech alternating high/low pressure.

Purge

Dry air used to sweep moisture off the adsorbent.

Regulator

Device adjusting high line pressure to a lower set pressure.

Regeneration

Cleaning/depressurizing adsorbent for the next cycle.

Moisture

Water vapor prone to condensation in systems.

Zero air

Ultra-clean air with zero hydrocarbons for labs.

Yellow brass

Corrosion-resistant metal used in valves and fittings.

Sensor

Device converting physical variables to PLC signals.

Free air delivery (FAD)

Silica gel

Synthetic porous desiccant for moisture removal.

Temperature

Thermal metric affecting compression system efficiency.

Knockout pot

Liquid oxygen (LOX)

Oxygen stored in liquid state below -183°C.

Leakage

Unintended loss of compressed air/gas from the system.

Jacket (cooling)

Water-filled casing around cylinders for cooling.

Solenoid valve

Electromagnetically operated valve directing flow.

Water separator

Equipment using centrifugal force to remove liquid water.

Silencer

Acoustic part dampening the noise of exhaust gas.

Blowdown

Rapid release of pressure or discharge of condensate/gas.

Drain valve

Valve that empties accumulated condensate from the system.

Zone (ATEX)

Hazardous area requiring explosion-proof equipment.

Thermodynamics

Science of heat, cooling, and air compression energy.

Utility air

Standard compressed air not requiring ultra-fine filtration.

Keypad

Ultrasonic detector

Vacuum

Environment below standard atmospheric pressure.

Valve

Mechanical unit controlling, stopping, or starting flow.

Efficiency

Ratio of useful gas output to energy consumed.

Rotary screw

Main unit compressing air via two meshing helical rotors.

X-axis

Horizontal plane in technical layouts.

X-ray inspection

Safety test detecting cracks in pressure vessel welds.

Y-branch

Pipe fitting dividing flow gently in a "Y" shape.

Y-strainer

Valve-like fitting with an angled screen to catch debris.

Oil vapor

Gaseous state of oil requiring active carbon filtering.

Lubricant

Industrial oil preventing friction and absorbing heat.

Oil-free compressor

Compressor delivering 100% oil-free air.

Baffle

Internal plate used to direct or slow gas/liquid flow.

Guide vane

High pressure

Pressures typically above standard (e.g., 40-300 bar).

Load cycle

Phase when the compressor is actively pumping air.

Zeolite

Inorganic sieve trapping N2 to release O2 in PSA.