Air and Gas Compressors Chapter.

14
RAYNER JOEL, 5TH EDITION

DEFINITION
An air compressor is a device that converts power (usually from an electric motor, a diesel engine or a gasoline engine) into kinetic energy by compressing and pressurizing air.

Type of compressor

Positive displacement

Dynamic

Reciprocating

Rotary

Centrifugal

Axial

 Positive-displacement type, a given quantity of air or gas is trapped in a compression chamber and the volume it occupies is mechanically reduced, causing a corresponding rise in pressure

prior to discharge. At constant speed, the air flow remains

essentially constant with variations in discharge pressure.

Dynamic compressors impart velocity energy to continuously flowing air or gas by means of impellers rotating at very high

speeds. The velocity energy is changed into pressure energy both

by the impellers and the discharge volutes or diffusers.

Reciprocating Compressor
Used for air and refrigerant compression Works like a bicycle pump: cylinder volume reduces while pressure increases, with pulsating output Many configurations available Single acting when using one side of the piston, and double acting when using both sides

Rotary Compressor
Rotors instead of pistons: continuous discharge Benefits: low cost, compact, low weight, easy to maintain Sizes between 30 200 hp Lobe compressor Screw compressor

Types

Rotary vane / Slide vane

Centrifugal Compressor
Rotating impeller transfers energy to move air Continuous duty Designed oil free High volume applications > 12,000 cfm

Axial Compressor
Used in gas turbine

Comparison of Compressors
Efficiency at full, partial and no load

Noise level
Size Oil carry-over Vibration Maintenance Capacity Pressure

Compressor Efficiency
Most practical: specific power consumption (kW / volume flow rate)

Other methods
Isothermal Volumetric

Adiabatic
Mechanical

Reciprocating Air Compressor (Theoretical Background)

4-1 1-2 2-3

Gas induced at inlet pressure Air compressed from pressure P1 to P2 Compressed air of volume V2 delivered from compressor

 Ideal compression is isothermal, due to less work input Due to friction, actual process is polytropic process

Higher the isothermal efficiency, more nearly has the actual compression approached isothermal compression

Work input for a Reciprocating Compressor