AIR COMPRESSORS

ANKUR MITRA ARJUN.S BALA BHARATHI.U.K

16CM38F 16CM05F 16CM07F
INTRODUCTION 2

 The machine which takes in air or any other gas at low pressure and
compresses it to high pressure are called compressors.
 They are power consuming machines in which mechanical work is
converted into the pressure head of air or gas.
 A compressor which is used for increasing the pressure of air is
called air compressor.
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 Air compressors are devices used to provide efficient power to
construction tools and machinery.
 Air compressors can be operated by internal combustion engines and their
ability to pressurize air enables power to be transmitted via pipes or hoses.
 Air compressors are commonly used for transmitting power to rock drills,
jackhammers, air motors, pumps, and many more types of construction
equipment.
 The use of compressors enable workers to bore holes, cut materials, crush
rock, pour vibrated concrete, and are constantly used in countless other
construction applications.
Classification of air compressor 4
 DYNAMIC 5

Centrifugal Compressors  Depends on transfer of energy  from a

rotating impeller to the air.
 A centrifugal compressor has a simple
rotating element, mounted onto the shaft
which is usually connected directly to the
prime mover.
 The compressor is divided into four parts.
Input, centrifugal impeller, diffuser and
the collector.
Axial Compressors 6

 It is the compressor that continuously

compresses air
 There are a set of rotating blades and a set
of stationary blades
 Rotor blades- Increases the energy level
of the inflowing air
Stationary blades- slow down the speed
of the fluid and converts the circumferential
component of air into the pressure. So the air
get compressed in this way.
POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT 7

 Forces air into a chamber whose volume is decreased to compress the air.
 Once the maximum pressure is reached, a port or valve opens and air is
discharged into the outlet system from the compression chamber.

 Rotary compressor
 Reciprocating compressor
Rotary screw compressor 8

 PRINCIPLE: Air sucked in at one end

and gets trapped between the rotors and
get pushed to other side of the rotors
 For large industrial applications or to
operate high-power air tools such as
jackhammers.
Rotary scroll compressor 9

 The air is compressed using two spiral

elements.
 One element is stationary and the other
one moves in small eccentric circles
inside the spiral.
 Air gets trapped inside the spiral way of
that element  and get transported in small
air-pockets to the centre of the spiral.
Vane type rotary compressor 10

 A fixed casing in Vane type compressor

in  which a rotary rotor disc is placed
which has slots that are used for holding
the sliding plates.
 Whenever rotor rotates, the disc also
rotates  thus allowing the sliding plates to
slide as the inner surface of casing is
eccentric. Whenever the plates moves
away from the centre a huge amount of
air get trapped inside it and with the
rotation the sliding plates converge due to
its shape and the trapped air get
compressed.
Lobe Type Air Compressor 11

 Simpler compressor type. No complicated

moving part.
 There are two lobes attached to the
driving shaft by the prime mover. These
lobes are displaced with 90 degrees to
one another. Thus if one of the lobe is in
horizontal direction the other lobes will
be exactly positioned at 90 degree.
 The air gets trapped from one end and as
the lobes rotates the air gets compressed.
Reciprocating Compressors 12

 Uses piston-cylinder arrangement to

compress the air.
 Whenever something moves back and forth it
is considered as moving in reciprocating
motion.
 The reciprocating compressor is single acting
when the compressing is accomplished using
only one side of piston and double acting
when both the sides of piston used.
 Generally seen where there is requirement of
high pressure and low flow(or discontinuous
flow up to 30 bars). Mostly where the air is
used for hand-tools, cleaning dust, small paint
jobs, commercial uses, etc.
Single acting Reciprocating compressor 13

 Piston working only in one direction. The

other end of the piston is often free or
open from which no work is performed
Double acting Reciprocating compressor 14

 It uses its both sides to compress the air

 As the piston moves up and down, both
sides of the piston is utilized in
compressing the air
Diaphragm reciprocating compressor 15

 Most commonly used compressors in the

area where there is a need of varying
pressure.
 They have simple design and commonly
driven by electric motors or diesel
engines.
CONSTRUCTION APPLICATIONS 16

Fluidization of Product:
Compressed air is mixed with products such as coal dust to cause fluidization, allowing for
easier material handling and conveying.
750 cfm at 250 psig

Reverse Jet Filtration Cleaning:

Compressed air is used for reverse air jet purging to keep filters clean and reduce downtime.
300cfm for cleaning components from rust
1000cfm for removing concrete from decks to repair reinforcements
Shot Blasting:
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Compressed air is for sandblasting in the construction industry to clean ship hulls, oil
tanks, bridges and steel constructions. For smaller or more delicate surfaces it is used in
conjunction with dry ice or soda blasting unit.

Minimum of 900 cfm

Pneumatic Drilling, Ramming or Piling Machines:

Compressed air is conjunction with or without hydraulic power to operate drill rigs in
stone and mineral quarries, mines and water wells. It is also an excellent alternative for
ramming steel structures and piling road barriers.
Minimum of 1200 cfm
Concrete Conveying or Spraying: 18
Compressed air is used at construction sites that are difficult to reach directly with mobile
concrete mixers. It is also used in concrete spraying; which is used to fix rocky hills to avoid
landslides, as well as being used in the construction of tunnels. Plaster can also be sprayed.
Minimum of 200 cfm for 2 inch hose.

Air Operated Tools in mining:

Compressed air is used as an ignition free medium to power tools in mines.
1100 cfm at 300 psi pressure

Blasting:
Compressed air is used as a safe medium for heavy duty blasting in the construction industry.
min 800cfm
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 REFERENCES 20

1. http://aermech.com/rotary-compressors-and-typesworking-principleengineering-
explained/
2. http://aermech.com/centrifugal-compressors-vs-axial-compressorsworking-
principleengineering-explained/
3. http://aermech.com/reciprocating-compressors-and-typesworking-
principleengineering-explained/
4. Under Comp Air’s- official website
http://us.compair.com/Industries/Construction.aspx
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