The air receivers for air compressors are the means of storage in each compressed air system.

The vertical air receiver is mainly used in central installations because it occupies less space and also functions as a primary separator, removing condensates (moisture, dust, etc.) that are carried with the compressed air. In this case, the compressed air enters the receiver from a lower inlet and exits from a higher outlet, trapping condensates at the bottom of the tank, which can be removed with a manual valve or an automatic drainage system.

The air receivers (air tanks) also help stabilize pressure in a compressed air system. In installations where the pipe diameter is small, or in cases of incorrect installation with large fluctuations or significant pressure drops, installing an air receiver at a strategic point will greatly assist in maintaining consistent pressure and system performance.