COMPRESSORS

COMPRESSORS
Compressors are machines that are used to transfer another gasses from
one location to another at a higher differential pressure ranges.
A Compressor is a machine that compresses the air or another type of gas

from a low inlet pressure (usually atmospheric pressure) to a higher desired
pressure level.
Compressor increases the pressure of the air by reducing its volume. Work
required for increasing pressure of air is available from the prime mover
driving the compressor.
Generally, electric motor, internal combustion engine or steam
engine, turbine etc. are used as prime movers.
Compressors are similar to fans and blowers but differ in terms of pressure
ratios.
Fan is said to have pressure ratio up to 1.1 and blowers have pressure
ratio between 1.1 to 4 while compressors have pressure ratios more than
4.
There are various types of compressors and they are classified in two major
categories: (1) dynamic or also known as continuous flow or turbo
compressor and (2) positive displacement or intermittent compressor.
• Dynamic or continuous flow are types of compressor in which the flow of

gas is accelerated thru high speed rotating element, converting velocity
head into pressure head. Continuous flow includes centrifugal and axial
flow compressors.
• Positive displacement or intermittent flow type compressor, however, are
those units that confine gas in a closed space, reducing its volume and
discharging it at a higher pressure. Intermittent flow includes
reciprocating, screw, and root types of compressors.
Some other ways of classifying compressors includes the following:

New Section 4 Page 1
Some other ways of classifying compressors includes the following:
a) Number of stages: single, two, three-stages or multi-stage
b) Reciprocating compressor element: single acting or double acting
c) Cylinder arrangement: vertical, horizontal, V-type
d) Cooling system: water cooled, air cooled
e) Mounting condition: portable, stationary

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORS
It is a piston and cylinder device with (automatic) spring-

controlled inlet and exhaust valves. Delivery is usually to
a receiver.
Reciprocating compressors are positive displacement,

intermittent flow machines that are capable of delivering
air from a pressure of 35 psig up to 250 psig. They are
widely used in industrial applications because of their
overall efficiency, wide range of capacity simplicity of use
and compactness.
Some of the disadvantages of reciprocating compressors

are the excessive vibrations due to the forces exhibited
by the reciprocating movement of the piston. This
requires strong machine foundation and higher
maintenance cost compared with other types of
compressor.

TYPICAL RECIPROCATING COMPRESSOR WITH ITS PARTS
A reciprocating compressor resembles automotive

engines and can be air-cooled or liquid-cooled. Generally,
low capacity compressor are air-cooled and they have air
fins cast around the cylinder to dissipate heat. On the
other hand, liquid-cooled compressors have cooling fins
and water jackets cast around the cylinder to circulate
water.
Reciprocating compressors needs lubrication to reduce
wear, provide cooling and to act as a sealant between
moving parts. Lubricant is distributed thru a splash
system crank and connecting rods with oil in the
crankcase.
Non-lubricating reciprocating compressors use special
design piston and non-metallic piston rings without oil in
the crankcase. They have higher maintenance cost
because valves and piston rings wear faster than in
lubricated reciprocating compressor.

SINGLE ACTING RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORS
It is a compressor that has one discharge per revolution of crankshaft.
Single-acting compressors compresses gas in one side of the piston only.

They are commonly air cooled and widely used for small capacity
applications.
Compression stroke starts at point 1. As the compressor compress the air

from point 1 to 2, the suction valves immediately closed, shutting off the
suction line of the cylinder. At point 2, the discharge valves opens and
compressed air is pushed out of the cylinder into the discharge line of the
cylinder.
The discharge stroke is completed at point 3. At this point, the piston

returns to point 4, where the pressure drops and closing the discharge
valve. The clearance between the end of the cylinder and the top dead
center (TDC) is known as the “clearance volume”.
The piston expands from point 3 to 4. And the intake stroke occurs from
point 4 to 1, which is also known as the “compressor capacity”.

• Piston Speed, v
Piston speed is measured as the total distance travel by the piston
multiplied by the angular speed.
• Volume Displacement, VD

DOUBLE ACTING RECIPROCATING
COMPRESSORS
Double-acting compressors compresses gas in both sides of the

piston. For the same motor speed, double-acting compressors
deliver twice of that single-acting compressors. They are water-
cooled and mostly used in large capacity applications.
It is a compressor that completes two discharge strokes per

revolutions of crankshaft. Most heavy duty compressors are double
acting.
The P-v diagram of a double-acting reciprocating compressor. The

cycle occurs at the opposite side of the piston.


COMPRESSORS

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COMPRESSORS

A Compressor is a machine that compresses the air or another type of gas

• Dynamic or continuous flow are types of compressor in which the flow of

Some other ways of classifying compressors includes the following:

New Section 4 Page 2

It is a piston and cylinder device with (automatic) spring-

Reciprocating compressors are positive displacement,

Some of the disadvantages of reciprocating compressors

New Section 4 Page 3

A reciprocating compressor resembles automotive

New Section 4 Page 4

It is a compressor that has one discharge per revolution of crankshaft.

Single-acting compressors compresses gas in one side of the piston only.

Compression stroke starts at point 1. As the compressor compress the air

The discharge stroke is completed at point 3. At this point, the piston

New Section 4 Page 5

New Section 4 Page 6

Double-acting compressors compresses gas in both sides of the

It is a compressor that completes two discharge strokes per

The P-v diagram of a double-acting reciprocating compressor. The

New Section 4 Page 7

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