Free air is air at ambient conditions at a specific location where

 ambient temperature
 moisture content
 barometric pressure
are stated.

Compression Ratio
Compression Ratio is based on the Ideal Gas Law and is the ratio
between Discharge Pressure Absolute and Suction Pressure Absolute.

CR = pd / ps (1)

where

CR = compression ratio

pd = discharge pressure (bar abs, psia)

ps = suction pressure (bar abs, psia)

The compression ratio of free air - to compressed air, is indicated in the

diagram below.

Compression Ratio - Pressure (psi)

1 psi = 6.9 kPa = 0.069 bar

1 ncfm = 0.5 nl/s

Converting Compressed Air Volume Flow to Free Air Volume Flow

A compressed air volume flow can be converted to a free air volume flow by
using the equation

qF = CR qC (2)

where

qF = free air flow (m3/s, cfm)

qF = compressed air flow (m3/s, cfm)

Example - Converting Compressed Air Volume Flow to Free Air Volume Flow

A compressed air volume flow of 10 acfm (actual cfm) at 100 psig must be
multiplied with Compression Ratio approximately 8 to estimate the volume of
free air at atmospheric pressure.
qF = 8 (10 acfm)

= 80 scfm (standard cfm)