Brochure

FREQUENTLY ASKED
TECHNICAL
QUESTIONS
WHAT SIZE AIRSPADE NOZZLE
SHOULD I USE?
This depends on the desired rate of soil excavation
which is in turn dependent upon the air delivered from
the AirSpade nozzle. Rates are summarized in the table
below:
Soil Excavation Rates
Nozzle Size Soil Excavation Rates
(scfm) (cubic ft / min)
25 0.4 to 0.9
60 0.7 to 1.1
105 0.9 to 1.5
150 1.2 to 1.8
225 1.7 to 2.3
WHAT SIZE AIR COMPRESSORDO I NEED
TO USE THE AIRSPADE PROPERLY?
Portable air compressors have model numbers that are
normally sized by the approximate air delivery in
standard cubic feet per minute (scfm) at a gauge delivery
pressure of 100 pounds per square inch (psig). For example,
a 185 compressor will deliver 185 scfm at 100 psig. All
AirSpade nozzles are rated at 90 psig and are
designated by their air delivery at this pressure. Five
nozzles are available to cover the size range of most
portable air compressors. To size an AirSpade nozzle to
a compressor simply ensure the compressor size is larger
than the nozzle size.
The table below lists the minimum portable air
compressor size needed to properly run a given AirSpade
nozzle. Note, a smaller nozzle may always be used on
a larger compressor, but not the reverse. Trying to run a
larger nozzle on a smaller compressor will result in
signicantly less than 90 psig being delivered and will
noticeably diminish performance.
Recommended Compressor Size
Nozzle Size Minimum Compressor Size
(scfm) (scfm @ 100 psig)
25 25
60 60
105 125
150 175
225 250
WHAT SIZE AIR HOSE DO I NEED
FOR THE AIRSPADE?
Compressed air owing through a hose experiences a
pressure loss from constrictions and friction proportional
to the length of the hose. Air volume, operating pressure,
hose ID and smoothness also determine the loss. The table
below shows the pressure loss for 50 ft of common air
hose with couplings as a function of nozzle size and air
ow, at 90 psig. For example, assuming an air compressor
that delivers100 psig, using a 50 ft length of 3/4” ID
hose and a 105 scfm nozzle, the output pressure at the
AirSpade would equal 100 minus 5.6 (from the table) or
94.4 psig. Generally speaking, 3/4” and above ID hose
is sufcient for most AirSpade applications.
47 Veterans Drive
Chicopee, MA 01022
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
www.airspade.com
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Pressure Loss for 50 ft Air Hose (psig)
Air Flow/Nozzle Size (scfm)
Hose ID
25 60 105 150 225
3
/4” 0.3 1.6 5.6 12.3 25.0
1” 0.1 0.4 1.3 2.8 5.5
1
1
/4” 0.0 0.1 0.4 0.8 2.0