Types of Air Compressor

What is Air Compressor?

An air compressor, as the name indicates, is a machine to compresses the air and raises
its pressure. The air compressor absorbs air from the atmosphere, compresses it, and
then sends the same to a storage vessel under high pressure.

From the storage vessel, it can be carried by pipeline to a location where a supply of
compressed air is needed. Since air compression needs some work to be done on it,
hence a compressor should be driven by some prime mover.

Compressed air is applied for various purposes such as pneumatic drills, riveters, road
drills, paint spraying, starting plants, jet engines and air motors, and more.

It is also used in the operation of lifts, rams, pumps, and much other equipment. In
industry, compressed air is used for producing blasts of air in blast furnaces and
Bessemer converters.

Types of Air Compressors

Following are the main types of air compressors:

1. Reciprocating air compressor

2. Rotary air compressor
3. Centrifugal air compressor
4. Axial air compressor

1. Reciprocating Air Compressor

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A reciprocating air compressor is a type of positive displacement compressor that uses a

piston. The piston is driven by the crankshaft to transfer the high-pressure gases into
the cylinder.

In these types of air compressors, initially, the gas enters from the suction manifold.
This gas is flowing through a compression cylinder where it gets compressed by an
attached piston. It is driven in a reciprocating motion by the application of a crankshaft,
and it is released.

A typical reciprocating compressor is commonly used in automotive industries to

generate 5 to 30 horsepower. A large type of reciprocating compressor can create up to
1000 horsepower that equals 750 KW and it is used in large industries like petroleum
applications.

When compared to a regular diaphragm compressor, it has a longer lifespan and

requires quiet maintenance because of continuous use. A reciprocating compressor is
used in gas pipelines, chemical plants, air conditioning, and refrigeration plants.

2. Rotary Air Compressor

A rotary air compressor, which is the simplest compressor, consists of two rotors with
lobes rotating in an air-tight casing that has an inlet and outlet ports. Its action
resembles that of a gear pump.

There are many designs of a wheel, but they generally have two or three lobes. The
lobes are made that they provide an air-tight joint at their point of contact.

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Mechanical energy is provided from one external source to one of the rotors, while the
second gear is driven in advance. As the rotors rotate, the air at atmospheric pressure is
trapped in the pockets formed between the lobes and casing.

The rotary motion of the lobes delivers the entered air into the receiver. Thus greater
flow of air in the receiver increases its pressure. Finally, the air is delivered from the
receiver at high pressure.

3. Centrifugal Air Compressor

A centrifugal blower compressor, in its common type, has a rotor (or impeller), in which
several types of curved vanes are arranged symmetrically. The rotor revolves in an air-
tight casing with inlet and outlet points.

In these types of air compressors, the casing for the compressor is so designed that the
kinetic energy of the air is converted into pressure energy before it leaves the casing as
shown in the figure. Mechanical energy is given to the rotor from an external source.

As the rotor rotates, it absorbs air through its eye, increases its pressure due to
centrifugal force, and pushes air to flow across the diffuser. The air pressure increases
further during its flow on the diffuser.

Finally, the air at high pressure is delivered to the receiver. It would be interesting to
know that air enters the impeller radially and discharge the vane axially.

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4. Axial Air Compressor

An axial-flow compressor, in its simplest form, has a number of rotating blades attached
to a revolving drum. The drum rotates inside an air-tight casing to which are fixed
stator blade rows as shown in the figure.

The blades are produced of an aerofoil section to lower the loss created by turbulence
and boundary separation. Mechanical energy is given to the rotating shaft, which turns
the drum.

The air comes from the left side of the compressor. As the drum begins to rotate, air
flows through the arranged stator and rotor. As the air flows from one set of stators and
rotors to another, it gets compressed.

Thus successive compression of the air, in all the sets of stator and rotor, the air is
delivered at high pressure at the outlet point.

Comparison Between Reciprocating and Rotary Air

Compressor
Following are the principal points of comparison of reciprocating and rotary air
compressors:

Reciprocating Air Compressor Rotary Air Compressor

1. The greater delivery pressure can be
as high as 1000 kg/cm2 in a
reciprocating air compressor.
2. In this, the maximum air discharge is
about 300 m3/min.
1. The greater delivery pressure is 10
kg/cm2 only in a rotary air
compressor.
2. In this, the maximum air discharge
is as high as 3000 m3/min.

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3. They are suitable for the low discharge
of air at very high pressure.
4. Speed of the air compressor is low.
5. Air supply is intermittent.
6. Size of the air compressor is large for
the given discharge.
7. The balancing is a major problem.
8. The air send is dirty, as it comes in
contact with the lubricating oil.
9. Lubricating system is complicated.
10. In this, isothermal efficiency is applied
for all sorts of calculations.
3. They are suitable for the large
discharges of air at low pressure.
4. Speed of the air compressor is
high.
5. Air supply is continuous.
6. Size of the air compressor is small
for the given discharge.
7. There is no balancing problem.
8. The air delivered is cleaner, as it
does not come in contact with the
lubricating oil.
9. Lubricating system is simple.
10. In this, isentropic efficiency is
applied for all sorts of calculations.

Comparison Between Centrifugal and Axial Air

Compressors
Following are the main points of comparison of the centrifugal and axial air
compressors:

Centrifugal Compressor Axial Compressor

1. The movement of air is
perpendicular to the axis of the
compressor.
2. It has low manufacturing and
running costs.
3. The centrifugal compressor
requires low starting torque.
4. Not suitable for multi-staging.
5. It needs a big frontal area for a
given rate of flow.
1. The movement of air is parallel to the axis
of the compressor.
2. It has high manufacturing and running
costs.
3. The axial compressor requires high
starting torque.
4. Suitable for multi-staging.
5. It needs a small frontal area for a given
rate of flow. This makes the compressor
suitable for air crafts.

Applications of Air Compressor

Air compressors used in industries such as petroleum refineries, natural gas processing
plants, petrochemical, and chemical plants, and similar large industrial plants where it
requires quick compressing.

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It is also used in refrigeration and air conditioners to move heat in refrigerant cycles.
Gas turbine systems also employ air compressors to compress the intake air in
combustion.

Pneumatic tools require compressed air for many industrial, manufacturing, and
construction processes. Air compressors also applied in aircraft to maintain the cabin
pressure at height.

Turbochargers and superchargers are compressors that improve internal combustion

engine performance by raising the mass flow of air inside the cylinder, so the engine
can burn more fuel and therefore it offers more power.

Air compressor is commonly used in rail and road transport vehicles to drive the rail
vehicle or road vehicle brakes.

How to Choose Air Compressor?

If you choose a incorrect air compressor for your plant can cost you hundreds or
thousands of dollars in lost energy and lost production time.

It is very important when selecting the right air compressor because the only factor
given to the term is the cubic feet per minute of airflow required for the plant.

There are so many factors that occur when choosing a compressor for your mobile use.
These factors include such as initial purchase price, ease of and cost of maintenance,
size, availability, airflow, and durability are all important.

Knowing that the compressor satisfies your demands is an essential step in finalizing
your industrial compressor system.

Conclusion
So now, we hope that we have clear all your doubts about Air Compressor. If you have
still any doubts about the “Types of Air Compressors” you can contact us or ask in the
comments. If you like this post then please share it with your friends.

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