m IT IS A MACHINE USED TO COMPRESS THE

VAPOUR REFRIGERENT FROM THE

EVAPORATOR AND TO RAISE ITS
PRESSURE SO THAT THE
CORRESPONDING SATURATION
TEMPERATURE IS HIGH THAN THAT OF
THE COOLING MEDIUM.
m IT ALSO CONTINUALLY CIRCULATES THE
REFRIGERENT THROUGH THE
REFRIGERATING SYSTEM.
m ACCORDING TO THE METHOD OF
COMPRESSION. (RECIPROCATING, ROTARY
AND CENTRIFUGAL)
m ACCORDING TO THE NUMBER OF WORKING
STROKES. (SINGLE AND DOUBLE ACTING)
m ACCORDING TO THE NUMBER OF STAGES.
(SINGLE STAGE AND MULTI STAGE)
m ACCORDING TO THE METHOD OF DRIVE
EMPLOYED. (DIRECT DRIVE AND BELT DRIVE)
m ACCORDING TO THE LOCATION OF THE
PRIME MOVER. ( SEMI HERMETIC AND
HERMATIC)
m In industry, reciprocating compressors are the most
widely used type for both air and refrigerant
compression.
m They work on the principles of a bicycle pump and are
characterized by a flow output that remains nearly
constant over a range of discharge pressures. Also, the
compressor capacity is directly proportional to the
speed. The output, however, is a pulsating one.
m Reciprocating compressors are available in many
configurations
m The reciprocating air compressor is considered single
acting when the compressing is accomplished using
only one side of the piston. A compressor using both
sides of the piston is considered double acting.
m The centrifugal air compressor is a dynamic
compressor, which depends on transfer of energy from
a rotating impeller to the air. The rotor accomplishes
this by changing the momentum and pressure of the
air. This momentum is converted to useful pressure by
slowing the air down in a stationary diffuser.
m The centrifugal air compressor is an oil free compressor
by design. The oil lubricated running gear is separated
from the air by shaft seals and atmospheric vents.
m The centrifugal is a continuous duty compressor, with
few moving parts, that is particularly suited to high
volume applications-especially where oil free air is
required.
m Centrifugal air compressors are water-cooled and may
be packaged; typically the package includes the after-
cooler and all controls.
m Rotary compressors have rotors in place of pistons and give a
continuous pulsation free discharge. They operate at high
speed and generally provide higher throughput than
reciprocating compressors. Their capital costs are low, they are
compact in size, have low weight, and are easy to maintain. For
this reason they have gained popularity with industry. They
are most commonly used in sizes from about 30 to 200 hp or 22
to 150 kW.
m Types of rotary compressors include: Lobe compressor, Screw
compressor, Rotary vane / sliding-vane. The picture shows a
screw compressor
m Rotary screw compressors may be air or water-cooled. Since
the cooling takes place right inside the compressor, the
working parts never experience extreme operating
temperatures. The rotary compressor, therefore, is a continuous
duty, air cooled or water cooled compressor package.
m When the compressor and motor operate on the
same shaft and are enclosed in a common casing,
they are known as ˜
 


m They eliminate the use of crank shaft seal.

m These may operate on either reciprocating or
rotary principle.
m These are widely used for small capacity
refrigerating system.
m May be mounted with the shaft in either vertical or
horizontal position.
m They do not use crank shaft seal to prevent leakage
of refrigerant.
 Ê
 
Ê  
  
 



 


EFFICEINCY MEDIUM HIGH HIGH LOW

NOISE LEVEL HIGH LOW HIGH LOW

SIZE LARGE LARGE MEDIUM SMALL

MAINTENANC LESS HIGH HIGH HIGH

E

CAPACITY LARGE LARGE MEDIUM LOW

m Although the selection of compressor depends upon
the application, in this case assuming the main priority
as domestic refrigerating or air conditioning system,
hermetic compressors are considered.
m The efficiency of this type of compressor is low,
however, because of many other reasons, to mention a
few as small size, less noise and the crux being the
leakage prevention, these are generally preferred over
the others.
m These are generally used for domestic purpose.
m To generalize things, if application is not accounted,
the best compressor from the above mentioned can be
taken as centrifugal compressor for various reasons as
lucidly abridged in the comparison chart.
m Refrigeration and Air conditioning
by Khurmi and Gupta
(page no 270-311)
m www.wikipedia.com/search/
(compressor name)
m For images
www.google.com/images/
(compressor name)