Air or Compressors

Lecture # 23-24
Mujahid Mehdi Abro
University

Indus

Air or Gas compressors

Compressor is a machine
used to compressed air or
gas to a final pressure
exceeding
241.25
KPa
gage.
OR
Compressor is used to
increase the pressure of air
from low pressure to high
pressure by using some
external energy.

USES OF COMPRESSED
AIR
Operation of small engines
Pneumatic tools
Industrial cleaning by air blast
Tire inflation
Paint Spraying
Manufacture of plastics and other
industrial products
Textile Industry
Lot of use in weaving machine
Compressors are used in wet-processing
department

Main Components in
Compressed Air Systems
Intake air filters
Inter-stage coolers
Air dryers
Moisture drain traps
Receivers

Compressed air systems consist of following

major components:
Intake Air Filters that prevent dust from
entering a compressor. Dust causes sticking
valves, scoured cylinders, excessive wear
etc.
Inter-stage Coolers that reduce the
temperature of the air before it enters the
next stage to reduce the work of
compression and increase efficiency. They
are normally water-cooled.

Air-dryers that remove the remaining

traces of moisture after after-cooler as
equipment has to be relatively free of any
moisture.
Moisture drain traps that are used for
removal of moisture in the compressed air.
These traps resemble steam traps. Various
types of traps used are manual drain cocks,
timer based / automatic drain valves etc.
Receivers that are provided as storage
and smoothening pulsating air output -

Key:NRV = Non Return Valve a one way valve

SV = Safety valve. The final safety valve is usually set 10% above
the cylinder maximum working pressure
PMV = Pressure maintaining valve A crucial part of the filtration
system usually set to release pressure between 120-160 bars.

Types of Compressors

Type of
compressor

Positive
displacement

Reciprocating

Rotary

Dynamic

Centrifugal

Axial

TYPES OF COMPRESSORS
WITH RESPECT TO USAGE
Centrifugal Compressors :
For low pressure and high capacity application
Rotary Compressors :
For medium pressure and low capacity
application
Reciprocating Compressors :
For high pressure and low capacity application

Reciprocating Compressor
In
a
reciprocating
compressor, a volume of air
is drawn into a cylinder, it is
trapped, and compressed by
piston and then discharged
into the discharge line. The
cylinder valves control the
flow of air through the
cylinder; these valves act as
check valves.

Types of Reciprocating
Compressors
There are two
compressor

types

of

reciprocating

Single Acting compressor

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

Double Acting Compressor

It is a compressor that completes two
discharge strokes per revolutions of crankshaft.
Most heavy-duty compressors are double

Parts of Reciprocating Compressor

Working of Reciprocating Compressor

(Discharge)

Working of Reciprocating Compressor

(Discharge)

Working of Double Acting Reciprocating

Compressor

Stage
1

Stage
2

Stage
3

Advantage of Double Acting

Compressor
Reduction in power required to drive the
compressor.
Better mechanical balance of the whole unit
and uniform torque.
Increase in volumetric efficiency.
Reduced leakage loss.
Less difficulty in lubrication due to low working
temperature.
Lighter cylinders can be used.
Cheaper materials can be used for

Rotary Compressor
Rotors instead of pistons: continuous
discharge
Benefits: low cost, compact, low weight,
easy to maintain
Types
Lobe compressor
Screw compressor
Rotary vane / Slide vane

Centrifugal Compressor
Centrifugal compressors
accelerates the velocity of the
gases (increases kinetic energy)
which is then converted into
pressure as the air flow leaves
the volute and enters the
discharge pipe.
Usually operate at speeds >
3,000 rpm.
Deliver much higher flow rates
than positive displacement
compressors

Basic Components
Impellers, Vanes, Volutes,
Suction Eyes, Discharge
lines, Diffuser Plates,
Seals, Shaft, Casing
Suction Vane Tips = Part
of the impeller vane that
comes into contact with
air first.
Discharge Vane Tips =
Part of the impeller vane