AIR COMPRESSOR

AIR COMPRESSOR
• A compressor is one such device which is used for several purposes
on a ship. The main aim of the compressor, as the name suggests, is
to compress air or any fluid in order to reduce its volume.
• A Compressor is a multipurpose device which finds many applications
on a ship. Some of the main forms of compressors used on ships are
the main air compressor, deck air compressor, AC compressor and
refrigeration compressor.
Air Compressor
WORKING OF AIR COMPRESSOR
• The reciprocating air compressor is similar to that of an reciprocating
pump in working principle.
• Whereas the pump sucks in and discharges the water but the air
compressor sucks in and discharges the compressed air which is
stored in the air bottles for future uses.
• The compressor consists of two cycle that is Intake cycle and
Compression cycle
INTAKE CYCLE
• It all starts with the piston being drawn downward through the
cylinder.
• This motion produces a vacuum between the piston top and the
head of the cylinder, bringing lower pressure air into the cylinder
through a series of inlet valves.
• These valves are located above the piston head as it descends. In
this part of the cycle, inlet valves stay open and discharge valves
stay closed.
COMPRESSION CYCLE
• The piston then moves back upward, prompting inlet valves to shut
so that air is trapped within the cylinder. As the piston continues to
push upward, the area that air occupies in the cylinder is reduced,
resulting in pressurized air.
• The pressure of the air inside the cylinder will quickly surpass the
resistance of the discharge valve spring, opening the valve and
allowing the newly pressurized air to exit the system before the
cycle repeats. A closed discharge valve serves to block air from
moving back into the low-pressure part of the cylinder after it has
been pressurized.
INTERCOOLER
The air compressor intercooler’s main function is to cool air before it
enters the next stage of compression. The higher density of cool air
makes it easier to compress than hot air. Ideally, the air should be as
close to the ambient air temperature as possible. Typically, the
intercooler is able to cool the compressed air within 20-30 degrees of
the ambient air temperature.

• The cooling process begins by passing cool water into the intercooler
and manifold through tubes. Fins attached to the tubes add stability
and aid in increasing the cooling surface area.
AFTER COOLER
• Aftercoolers are heat exchangers for cooling the discharge
from a air compressor. They use either air or water and are
an effective means of removing moisture from compressed
air.
• Aftercoolers reduce the amount of water vapor in a
compressed air system by condensing the water vapor into
liquid form. Aftercoolers combined with a seperator are an
excellent way to reduce moisture in a compressed air
system. In a distribution or process manufacturing system,
liquid water causes significant damage to equipment.
TYPES OF RECIPROCATING AIR
COMPRESSOR
• Single acting single crank air compressor
• Single acting double crank air compressor
• Double acting double stage air compressor
• Double acting three stage air compressor
THANK YOU