Allegro Ambient Air Pumps
Allegro Ambient Air Pumps
Price:$785.00 Sale Price:$705.00 |  | Price:$925.00 Sale Price:$875.00 | | Price:$1,975.00 Sale Price:$1,750.00 |
Breathing air compressors are available in many forms. One of the most popular is the so-called 'Ambient Air Breathing' apparatus (AABA). Why is that? The main reason is the lack of internal lubrication.
First, the problems with traditional compressors. Second, how the AABA avoids this problem. The goal; Grade D air for you to breathe!
Standard Compressors
Internal lubrication implies oil contained in a sump. This would be most commonly found in a piston type air compressor, though screw type compressors have the same issues. This type works much like a automobile engine. The downward stroke of the piston draws in air, the upward stroke pushes air into a tank or down a hose/pipe. The trouble arises when the oil gets hot enough to start smoking or burning. The possibility that these incompletely burned hydrocarbons (carbon monoxide) might wind up in the compressed air makes it unsuitable for breathing air. Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is serious business, and should be avoided.
On this internally lubricated compressor, OSHA regulations state that you need to monitor for CO if you want provide Grade D compressed air for breathing purposes. The most common method is a CO monitor. This is an electronic device with a sensor. This device has a cost, in addition to needing periodic calibration. Other accessories usually include filters to remove moisture and particulate matter.
Rotary Vane Oil-Less Compressor The Ambient Air Pump from Allegro avoids these problems by using what is called a 'rotary vane' compressor. The compressor portion of the assembly was first offered by a company called 'Gast'. The principle involves using flat 'vanes' made of carbon, which are self-lubricating. These vanes are spring loaded within a hub, spinning inside a cast iron housing, around a point that is slightly off-center. As they spin, the vanes flung outward against the bore of the pump, following the contours of the housing.
This line drawing image is a cut-away view looking at the internal workings. The spinning hub contains the the carbon vanes (dark color).
With no internal lubrication to contend with, we need only remove the carbon dust from wear on the vanes. This is accomplished with a .3 micron filter (metal canister on top of AABA). This gives you a very simple and reliable source of Grade D breathing air. Large volumes of low pressure air to supply your air line breathing mask or hood.
The details of each model may be found on their respective pages. However, they all are powered by efficient, reliable electric motors that plug into any wall outlet. This makes for convenient portability to the job site, with quick set-up and little in the way of things to fiddle with. Just place the compressor in an area of clean air, and it pushes that same clean air down the hose to you. Applications may include painting metal parts with urethane coatings, refinishing a bathtub or spraying on foam insulation.
First, the problems with traditional compressors. Second, how the AABA avoids this problem. The goal; Grade D air for you to breathe!
Standard Compressors
Internal lubrication implies oil contained in a sump. This would be most commonly found in a piston type air compressor, though screw type compressors have the same issues. This type works much like a automobile engine. The downward stroke of the piston draws in air, the upward stroke pushes air into a tank or down a hose/pipe. The trouble arises when the oil gets hot enough to start smoking or burning. The possibility that these incompletely burned hydrocarbons (carbon monoxide) might wind up in the compressed air makes it unsuitable for breathing air. Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is serious business, and should be avoided.
On this internally lubricated compressor, OSHA regulations state that you need to monitor for CO if you want provide Grade D compressed air for breathing purposes. The most common method is a CO monitor. This is an electronic device with a sensor. This device has a cost, in addition to needing periodic calibration. Other accessories usually include filters to remove moisture and particulate matter.
Rotary Vane Oil-Less Compressor The Ambient Air Pump from Allegro avoids these problems by using what is called a 'rotary vane' compressor. The compressor portion of the assembly was first offered by a company called 'Gast'. The principle involves using flat 'vanes' made of carbon, which are self-lubricating. These vanes are spring loaded within a hub, spinning inside a cast iron housing, around a point that is slightly off-center. As they spin, the vanes flung outward against the bore of the pump, following the contours of the housing.
This line drawing image is a cut-away view looking at the internal workings. The spinning hub contains the the carbon vanes (dark color).
With no internal lubrication to contend with, we need only remove the carbon dust from wear on the vanes. This is accomplished with a .3 micron filter (metal canister on top of AABA). This gives you a very simple and reliable source of Grade D breathing air. Large volumes of low pressure air to supply your air line breathing mask or hood.The details of each model may be found on their respective pages. However, they all are powered by efficient, reliable electric motors that plug into any wall outlet. This makes for convenient portability to the job site, with quick set-up and little in the way of things to fiddle with. Just place the compressor in an area of clean air, and it pushes that same clean air down the hose to you. Applications may include painting metal parts with urethane coatings, refinishing a bathtub or spraying on foam insulation.
