An air compressor uses the kinetic energy of compressed air to power a variety of different applications. It works using power generated by a motor or engine and converts this power into pressurised air. The air is stored in a tank until it is needed, at which point it is released to make use of the energy stored in the tank.

Air compressors are a very efficient way of creating and storing potential energy and they have many different uses in industry. The fact that they can store potential energy and generate it again once the storage tank is empty makes them very useful pieces of equipment.

Some air compressors also use positive displacement, which means that the air is compressed and then released into an outlet system. Some devices that use this technology are piston compressors, vane compressors and rotary screw compressors. There are also dynamic displacement compressors that make use of centrifugal force.