An air compressor increases the amount of air in a particular space. By packing in the air, the air pressure is increased which creates a force that is useful for a variety of purposes, from industrial and manufacturing to commercial and personal purposes.
The original air compressor is the lung. When you take a deep breath to blow out your birthday candles, for example, you're increasing the pressure of the air in your lungs, which effectively is an high pressure air compressor containing pressurized air. You then use the force of the air in your lungs to blow out the flames of your birthday candles.
Eventually, man-made air compressors were created. These fall generally fall into one of two types, positive displacement or dynamic, defined by its mode of operation. A positive displacement air compressor works by filling and then emptying an air chamber. Three common types of positive displacement air compressors are: reciprocating, rotary screw and rotary sliding vane. A dynamic air compressor, on the other hand, uses a a rotating device to accelerate and then decelerate air. This process uses the speed or velocity of the air to increase the air's pressure. Centrifugal air compressors are dynamic air compressors.
Compressed air can be used in a variety of ways. It can be used to alter the chemical composition as in the case of making fertilizer or it can be used for industrial purposes like production line manufacturing processes or it can be used to maintain industrial plants. Perhaps the most well known use of the air compressor is in the case of pneumatic tools like air powered nail guns, staplers, sanders, spray guns, or ratchet wrenches. Air compressors can also be used to move debris. These tools are commonly available at hardware stores for purchase or rental.