Air Compressor Terms

What’s the Difference Between a
Pump and a Compressor?

A closer look at different types of pumps and compressors.
Carlos Gonzalez | Dec 18, 2015
Moving hydraulic fluid through a system requires either a pump or compressor. Both
achieve this goal, but through different operating methods. Pumps have the ability to
move liquids or gases. Compressors typically only move gas due to its natural ability to
be compressed. Pumps and compressors both have very high pressure rises.
Types of Compressors
There are different types of compressors that move air into a chamber. Most
compressors are positive-displacement compressors in which, by forcing air into the
chamber, volume is decreased to compress the air. Reciprocating or piston-type air
compressors pump air by using pistons and one-way valves to guide air into the cylinder
chamber. Most commercially available compressors are either one- or two-stage
compressors. Single-stage compressors are used for pressure ranges from 70 to 100 psi.
For larger pressure ranges of 100 to 250 psi, two-stage compressors are used. Single-
acting compressors use only one side of a piston and double-acting compressors use
both sides of the piston. Compressors have a pressure limit that, once reached, will shut
off the compressor. The air will remain stored until used for a kinetic energy application.
1.
Compressors convert power from an electric or gas powered motor into potential energy
stored in the form of pressurized air. The compressor compacts air into storage tanks
increasing the pressure. (Image courtesy of Air Compressor Geeks)
Rotary-screw compressors use helical screws to guide air in the chamber. The screw
functions similar as the piston by displacing and compressing air. The most common
rotary-screw compressors are single-stage helical or spiral-lobe oil-flooded screw air
compressors. These compressors do not have valves and are oil cooled. The oil seals the
internal clearances and, since the cooling is performed inside the compressor, the
operating temperatures do not rise to extreme temperature levels.
2. Rotary screw compressors create friction causing heat disadvantages. Effective use
of rotary screw compressors require regular cooling down of the compressor. (Image
courtesy of Air Compressors Guru)
Negative-displacement air compressors or dynamic compressors are typically

centrifugal compressors. Using a spinning impeller, a centrifugal force is generated to
accelerate and decelerate captured air, which causes it to be pressurized. To control the
capacity of a centrifugal compressor, the inlet guide vanes are adjustable. Closing the
guide vanes reduces the volumetric flow and capacity.
3. Centrifugal compressors are oil free with the running gears and mechanical parts
separated from the air by shaft seals and vents. (Image courtesy of Direct Industry)
Compressor - is a machine used to increase the pressure of a gas by decreasing its volume.
TYPES OF COMPRESSORS
Reciprocating Compressors- are compressors built in sizes as large as 5000 to 10000 ft3 / min. piston
displacement with pressure range up to 1000 atm and vacua down to 0.50 in. Hg abs.
Rotary Compressors without liquid seals- are compressors built in sizes as large as 50,000 ft3/min. and
are suitable for moderate vacua not less than 15 in. Hg abs and for moderate pressures of 5 to 20 psi.
Rotary Compressors with liquid seals- are compressors built in sizes up to 5000 ft3/min. and are suitable
for ratios of compression reflected in vacuum pump service to 28 in. Hg and positive pressure service to
75 psig.
Centrifugal Compressors- are compressors built in capacities of 500 to 100,000 ft3/min. and deliver
pressures as high as 150 psi where 10 to 15 stages would be required.
Axial Flow Compressors- are compressors which extended the field of the axial flow fans by the use of
multistaging so that pressures of 75 psi can be developed with a 20 or 25 stage unit. Capacities range
from 2000 to 100,000 ft3/min.
Hydraulic Jet Compressors- are primarily employed for vacuum pump service requiring 1 to 4 in. Hg abs.
pressure and capacities of 1000 ft3/min at suction conditions.
Vapor Jet Compressors- are used for both exhauster and blower service with steam as the usual
actuating fluid.
AIR COMPRESSORS
Industrial plants with its various processes requires gases at pressures above or below atmospheric. The
most widely used of these gases is the compressed air in operating air engines, drive pneumatic tools
such as pneumatic hammers and drills, cleaning by air blast In operating air hoists, spraying paints,
pumping water by air-lift, manufacture of plastics and other industrial products and host of other jobs.
Important Compressor Terminology


Air Compressor
This is the machine which is used to increase the pressure of air by reducing
its volume.
Reciprocating Air Compressor

This is a machine which compresses air by means of piston reciprocating
inside the cylinder bore.
Single Acting Compressor
This is a machine which compresses air in only one end of piston and
cylinder.
Double Acting Compressor

This is a machine where the air is compressed at both ends of piston and
cylinder.
Single Stage Compressor

This is a machine in which air from atmospheric pressure is compressed up to
desired discharge pressure in a single operation (stage).
Two Stage Compressors

This is a machine in which air from atmospheric pressure is compressed up to
the desired pressure in two stages.
In the first stage, air is compressed to an intermediate pressure & in the

second stage; it is further compressed to desired discharge pressure.
Multistage Compressors
This is a compressor in which air is compressed from atmospheric pressure to
desired pressure in more than two stages.
Rotary Compressor
This is a machine in which the compression is effected by a rotating vane or
impeller that imparts velocity to the flowing air to give it the desired pressure.
Inlet Pressure
This is the absolute pressure of the air at an inlet (Suction) to a compressor.
Discharge Pressure
This is the absolute pressure of the air at an outlet (delivery) of a compressor.
Compression Ratio
This is the ratio of the absolute discharge pressure to the absolute inlet
pressure.
Free Air Delivery (FAD)

Free air delivery is the volume of air delivered under the conditions of
temperature and pressure existing at the compressor intake.
This generally taken 1.0332 kg/cm² abs & 15-degree centigrade, if an air
condition is not given.
Capacity of Compressor
Capacity is the volume of air delivered by the compressor. It is generally
expressed in cubic feet/min. or meter cube/ min.
Theoretical Horse Power

This is the horsepower required to compress adiabatically the air delivered by
a compressor through specified pressure range, without any provision for lost
energy.
Brake Horse Power

BHP is the actual horsepower input required by a compressor.
Compressor Efficiency
This is the ratio of theoretical horsepower to the brake horsepower.
Volumetric Efficiency
This is the ratio of the capacity of a compressor to the piston displacement of
the compressor.
Shall I hope, above compressor terminology help you to understand the topic?
Besides this information, you are suggested to read something more from
below engineering books
Centrifugal compressors where the gas flows radially through the compressor. It uses the principle
of dynamic compression, which involves converting energy from one form to another, to increase the
pressure and temperature of the gas. It converts kinetic energy (velocity) to static energy (pressure). And
the core component of a centrifugal compressor is the rotating impeller.

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What’s the Difference Between a

Pump and a Compressor?

Carlos Gonzalez | Dec 18, 2015

Negative-displacement air compressors or dynamic compressors are typically

Important Compressor Terminology

Reciprocating Air Compressor

Double Acting Compressor

Single Stage Compressor

Two Stage Compressors

In the first stage, air is compressed to an intermediate pressure & in the

Free Air Delivery (FAD)

Theoretical Horse Power

Brake Horse Power

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