What is the Difference Between Compressor and Blower?

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The main difference between a compressor and a blower lies in their pressure ratio, which is determined by the outlet pressure divided by the inlet pressure. Here are the key differences between the two:

Compressor:

  • Operates at a high pressure-to-volume ratio.
  • Crams air into a small space, making the trapped air denser.
  • Releases highly pressurized air in a steady stream.
  • Typically used for intermittent bursts of air or air that has been compacted, such as pneumatic drills, power tools, and air cylinders.

Blower:

  • Operates at a low pressure-to-volume ratio.
  • Continuously moves large volumes of air for a moderate increase of pressure.
  • The direction of the air being pushed by the blower can be changed by making changes to the blade.
  • Used for applications that require steady airflow, such as forced hot air furnaces and hair dryers.

In summary, air compressors deliver air with a high pressure-to-volume ratio, while air blowers deliver a larger volume of air with lower pressure. This means that they tend to be used for different applications in various industries.

Comparative Table: Compressor vs Blower

The main difference between compressors and blowers is the pressure ratio. Compressors operate at a high-pressure ratio, while blowers operate at a low-pressure ratio. Here is a table summarizing the differences between compressors and blowers:

Feature Compressors Blowers
Pressure Ratio High-pressure ratio (outlet pressure divided by inlet pressure) Low-pressure ratio (outlet pressure divided by inlet pressure)
Air Density Compacts air into small spaces, making it denser and highly pressurized Moves air/gas with a moderate increase of pressure
Applications Intermittent bursts of air, compacted air (e.g., pneumatic drills, power tools, air cylinders) Larger volume of air with lower pressure (e.g., HVAC systems, cooling, drying systems)
Examples Centrifugal compressors, positive displacement compressors Centrifugal blowers, positive displacement blowers

Compressors are used in applications that require high pressure, such as powering air tools, paint sprayers, and abrasive blast equipment, while blowers are used for applications that require a larger volume of air with lower pressure, such as HVAC systems and cooling and drying systems.