6/16/2020 1st Class December 2003 Question 8

1st Class Motor Examination Questions

December 2003 Question 8.

a. Sketch a multi - stage reciprocating air compressor, labelling the safety features. (8)
b. Explain why a rotary compressor would not be used for starting air duties. (8)

a.

b.

Rotary compressors comprise of two gear driven meshing screw like rotors, with very close
clearances between the rotors and the casing. Similar in operation to the screw pump, the air
is carried along from the suction to the discharge in the moving helical space between
casing and rotor. To prevent excessive wear and to prevent leak back of air from suction to
discharge, the rotors run with a large amount of lubrication, and so a considerable amount of
oil is carried over with the air, which must be separated out and returned to the system. This
oil removal would have to be 100% if the air was to be used for starting air. The rotors run
at a high speed and deliver large volumes of relatively low pressure compressed air (7 bar).
Whilst ideal for working air purposes, the pressure of air delivered is not high enough to use
for starting duties. The limit on the pressure of the air delivered is a practical one based on
the design considerations of the compressor. To try and compress the air to higher pressures
would lead to excessive leak back from suction to discharge, reducing efficiency and
interrupting the lubrication of the rotors which could lead to excessive wear and possible
siezure.

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6/16/2020 1st Class December 2003 Question 8

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