What is the impact of air friction resistance in a pneumatic system?

What is the impact of air friction resistance in a pneumatic system?

• A. Air becomes hotter
• B. Humidity increases
• C. Noise decreases
• D. Air pressure drops as air flows through the system

Answer: (D)

Friction between the moving air and the interior surfaces of hoses and pipes causes energy to be lost as the air travels. That energy loss shows up as a pressure drop from the start of the run to the end. The longer the path, the more bends and fittings, and the smaller or rougher the interior, the greater the pressure loss. To keep enough pressure at the actuator, the system either needs higher upstream pressure, larger or smoother-diameter tubing, or routing changes to minimize losses. Heating can occur as a byproduct of this friction, but the most noticeable and design-relevant impact is the drop in air pressure as air flows through the system.

Friction between the moving air and the interior surfaces of hoses and pipes causes energy to be lost as the air travels. That energy loss shows up as a pressure drop from the start of the run to the end. The longer the path, the more bends and fittings, and the smaller or rougher the interior, the greater the pressure loss. To keep enough pressure at the actuator, the system either needs higher upstream pressure, larger or smoother-diameter tubing, or routing changes to minimize losses. Heating can occur as a byproduct of this friction, but the most noticeable and design-relevant impact is the drop in air pressure as air flows through the system.