Compressed Air Storage Volume

Overview

Engineering reference data for Compressed Air Storage Volume in miscellaneous.

Key Formulas

Unit Conversion

$y = x \cdot k$

Multiply by conversion factor.

Linear Interpolation

$y = y_1 + \frac{(x - x_1)(y_2 - y_1)}{x_2 - x_1}$

Estimate between two known points.

Percentage

$p = \frac{\text{part}}{\text{whole}} \times 100\%$

Part as fraction of whole.

Variables

Boyle's Law Application

The core principle for calculating compressed air storage volume is Boyle's Law, which states that for a fixed amount of gas at constant temperature, pressure and volume are inversely proportional. This relationship is expressed as:

$p_a V_a = p_c V_c = \text{constant}$

From this, the volume of free air at atmospheric pressure that can be stored in a given container is derived:

$V_a = \frac{p_c V_c}{p_a}$

Cylinder Pressure Ranges

Gas cylinders are designed for different pressure classes:

• High-pressure cylinders: Ranging to over 6000 psig (410 bar).
• Normal-pressure cylinders: Typically between 2000 and 2250 psig (140 and 175 bar).
• Low-pressure cylinders: Around 480 psig (34 bar).

Practical Example

A standard K-type cylinder has an internal volume of 1.76 cubic feet and is filled with air to 2200 psig (2214.7 psia). The equivalent volume of this air at standard atmospheric pressure (14.7 psia) is calculated as:

$V_a = \frac{(2214.7 \, \text{psia})(1.76 \, \text{cu ft})}{14.7 \, \text{psia}} = 265 \, \text{cu ft}$

This means the air compressed into the 1.76 cubic foot container would occupy 265 cubic feet at atmospheric pressure.

References

• Original Source