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The Three Main Types
of Air Compressor
There are three main groups of air
compressors: Centrifugal, Reciprocating and Rotary Screw.
The centrifugal compressors operate by producing high-pressure
discharge. This is accomplished by converting angular momentum passed on
by the rotating impeller (also known as dynamic displacement).
Centrifugal compressors rotate at faster speeds than other types of
compressors, thus they are able to effectively produce high-pressure
discharge. The flow through the compressors is uninterrupted so they are
designed for a higher capacity. The most common technique of controlling
the capacity of a centrifugal compressor is to adjust the inlet guide
vanes. In order to reduce the volumetric flow and capacity, the guide
vanes must be closed.
Reciprocating Compressors increase the air pressure by reducing its
volume. A crankshaft, pistons and connecting rods are all parts of a
reciprocating compressor. Air compressors that are used commercially are
single-stage and two-stage. If pressures are in the area of 70 psig to
100 psig, single-stage compressors are usually used. Higher pressures in
the range of 100 psig to 250 psig normally use two-stage compressors. In
order to achieve capacity control, the speed must be varied in
engine-driven units. This is accomplished through fuel flow control. In
order to achieve load reduction, individual cylinders must be unloaded
by throttling the suction pressure to the cylinder. It can also be
accomplished with bypassing the air from within or outside the
compressor.
Screw compressors have vertically grooved rotors that interlock. The
pressure is increased due to the volume of a trapped accumulation of air
that is decreased along the rotor. Variable speed and compressor
dislocation results in capacity control for these types of compressors.
A slide valve is placed in the case for the control method. When the
power of the compressor is decreased, the slide valve will open and
bypass part of the compressed air back into the suction. A major
advantage of the rotary screw compressor is that it has a smooth air
output in a condensed size that includes high output volume during its
long life.
A motor, steam turbine, internal combustion engine or combustion turbine
are some of the moving mechanisms that may drive a compressor.
Throughout the years, it has been the electric motors that have been
used most often. However, in today's market, the use of natural gas
engine drives has become increasingly popular. Gas engine-driven
compressors may be used as a hybrid system or as the exclusive resource
of compressed air.
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air
compressor types
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Understanding the
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