Air compressors do not have a noticeable impact on the concentration of airborne metalworking fluid (MWF) particles in real-world workplaces, according to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE).

The HSE has published new findings, in the form of Research Report 904, which look at airborne particles and dermal deposits from the use of air compressors for removing unwanted MWF from worked surfaces.

In real-world applications, workshops do not see a noticeable rise in airborne particles of MWF, above the normal ambient levels recorded during everyday operations.

This is because most of the droplets of MWF removed from the surface are heavy enough to fall quickly to the workshop floor, or to land as residue on the skin and clothing of the air compressor operator.

Air compressors do, therefore, cause an increase in dermal deposits, but this effect can be reduced by using lower pressure when removing MWF from surfaces, the HSE report adds, while protective clothing can prevent the droplets from reaching the operator’s skin.

Operators can also reduce the number of MWF particles sent their way by compressed air, simply by aiming the air compressor away from them.

“In most circumstances, compressed air forced droplets of MWF in the opposite direction to the operator,” the report notes.

Compressor components may be items of hardware, but they are still benefiting from advances in computer software as scientists look to help engineers make new and even better turbomachinery.

Pumps, fans, turbines and compressor components all fall into the category of machinery, which poses particular difficulties for designers due to the complex nature of the air flows produced during use.

In the US, scientists in Ohio are working to ensure modern computer software is capable of simulating these air flows, so that compressor components can be designed to high standards in the future.

Dr Jen-Ping Chen at Ohio State University is using the processing power of Ohio Supercomputer Centre in his research, and explains the importance of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for component design.

“The successful combination of CFD simulation and experimentation can greatly supplement the understanding of [the] fundamental fluid behaviour of gas turbine systems,” he says.

In turn, this gives engineers the understanding they need to develop engine components for turbomachinery equipment at a more advanced level of sophistication.

As computers continue to grow in both speed and processing capacity, this is just one example of how the world’s most powerful supercomputers are helping to keep hardware components that have been used for decades on the path towards even better operation.