Versatile Applications of Air Compressors Between 5 and 15 HP

A lot of attention is given to large air compressors – and for good reason: they serve as the heartbeat of industrial facilities as they power robotics end of arm tooling, automated air-powered equipment and industrial tools. However, there are a lot of applications that can be served by smaller units, such as 5 hp to 15 hp air compressors. This blog will focus on some unique applications of the small, but mighty air compressors in this range. 

Before delving into applications for 5 to 15 hp air compressors, it’s important to understand what “horsepower” or “hp” actually means as it relates to air compressor ratings. When purchasing an air compressor, most people use the horsepower rating as the deciding factor; however, horsepower should be considered in the proper context when selecting an air compressor, as horsepower alone can be a deceiving rating.  

Horsepower is actually a measurement of how much performance the air compressor’s motor will generate, but this can be confusing as a higher horsepower does not necessarily equate to a more powerful unit. Instead, a compressor’s overall performance is based on a balance of: 

• Horsepower: Horsepower, or hp, is a measurement of how much performance the motor can generate. Typically, horsepower refers to 745 watts 
• Pressure: Usually seen as a PSIG rating, which stands for pounds per square inch gauge, this is the pressure value relative to ambient or atmospheric pressure  
• Capacity: Usually noted as cubic feet per minute, or CFM capacity, Typically, air compressors that serve multiple applications at the same time require a higher CFM. 

When applying these measurements to air compressors, horsepower is the measurement of the unit’s output performance at the specified levels of PSIG and CFM. 

Therefore, a 5 hp air compressor with an output of 175 PSIG and a rating of 18 CFM could actually be more energy efficient than a larger hp air compressor with the same PSIG and CFM ratings, which may come as a surprise to those who view horsepower as the sole criteria selecting an air compressor. 

The Versatility of 5 hp to 15 HP Air Compressors

Compressed air plays a role in many applications within the manufacturing, automotive, agricultural and food and beverage sectors, among many others, as it provides the power to run everything from nail guns to bottling lines to robotic end of arm tooling. But here we will focus on some surprising – and often overlooked — applications of air compressors between 5 and 15 hp in the automotive, agricultural and brewing industries. 

What are Air Compressors Used for in the Automotive Industry?

Smaller automotive compressors can find many applications in the industry, which includes large-scale car manufacturers, paint shops, repair shops and body shops. 

In these businesses, 5 to 15 hp air compressors may be used for: 

Inflating tires

Operating pneumatic tools

Plasma cutting and welding

Sanding

Spray painting cars

Cutting, transporting, laminating and testing windshields

Treating wastewater generated during the manufacturing or painting processes

What are Air Compressors Used for in Agriculture? 

There is perhaps no tool that is more versatile around the farm or agricultural environment than an air compressor as they can be used for everything from filling the tires on large farm equipment to operating tools used to repair fences or farm machinery. 

In an agricultural environment, applications of air compressors may include:

• Inflating the tires on large farm equipment such as tractors, plows and ATVs 
• Cleaning machines and equipment
• Powering pneumatic tools and spray paint guns used for repairs 
• Greenhouse ventilation 
• Spraying crops 
• Powering dairy machines 
• Operating pneumatic conveyors to move produce or grains 

What are Air Compressors Used for in Breweries?

Air compressors play an important role in breweries and are used by small, local craft brewers and high-volume brewing facilities alike to bottle, label, fill and carbonate products. Keep in mind that breweries, like other food and beverage producers, will likely need to use an oil-free air compressor so they don’t contaminate product. 

Applications for 5 to 15 hp air compressors in the brewing industry include:

No matter the industry, air compressors are versatile enough to apply to a multitude of applications, while providing a clean, dependable, consistent and continuous source of air. To learn more about how 5 to 15 hp air compressors can serve your business or unique application, please reach out to JHFOSTER today.