[DavisDad]

Originally Posted by JamesCH95

My math says that filling that volume chamber (8in diameter, 8in length, right cylinder) at 10CFM will result in an exit velocity of less than 0.5ft/s...

The 10 CFM fills an accumulator (reservoir) until charged to about 2-3 PSI. The compressed air is released directly into the end of the cannon; like a potato cannon. The air is released very fast and the 2 psi acts against the 50 sq.in. surface of the ball = 100 lb force at initial release. My calcs say I need about 15 ft-lb energy to accelerate the ball to about 31 ft/sec. The size of the accumulator will determine the final exit pressure on the ball. Of course leakage around the ball is a big variable.