What is a Compressor?

A mechanical device that increases the pressure of a gas

by reducing its volume.
Similar to a pump Increases the pressure on a fluid and
transport it through a pipe.
What is key difference between a Fluid and a Gas?
Compressibility a gas is compressible
What happens to gas volume as it is compressed?
Decreases
What happens to the Temperature of the Gas as it
is compressed?
Increases









Compressors are classified by how they work
Two Categories of Compressors
Positive Displacement
Dynamic
What is a Positive Displacement Compressor?
A compressor that confines successive volumes of gas
within a closed space in which the pressure of the gas is
increased as the volume of the closed space is
decreased.
Intermittent Flow
What is a Dynamic Compressor?
A compressor using a rotating mechanism to add
velocity and pressure to gas.
Continuous Flow




Two types of Positive Displacement
Compressors:
Reciprocating
Rotary
Two Types of Dynamic Compressors
Centrifugal
Axial

Reciprocating Compressors
How does it work?
Piston movement in a cylinder connected to a rod and
crankshaft
Downward piston motion, low pressure gas enters the
chamber
Upward piston motion, gas is compressed and exits
the chamber
Video


Reciprocating Compressors
High Horsepower Applications
Common in natural gas transmission lines.
Processes for high pressure delivery of gasses





Air Conditioning Compressors
Some manufactures (Frigidaire) use rotary
compressors
AC Compressors (and other small appliance
applications) are Hermetic or Semi-Hermetic

Hermetically Sealed and Semi Hermetically
Sealed Compressors
The compressor and motor driving the compressor are integrated, and
operate within the pressurized gas envelope of the system.
The motor is designed to operate and be cooled by the gas or vapor being
compressed.
The hermetic uses a one-piece welded steel casing that cannot be opened
for repair.
If the hermetic fails it is simply replaced with an entire new unit.
A semi-hermetic uses a large cast metal shell with gasketed covers that
can be opened to replace motor and pump components.
The primary advantage of a hermetic and semi-hermetic is that there is no
route for the gas to leak out of the system.
Open compressors rely on either natural leather or synthetic rubber seals to retain
the internal pressure
Require a lubricant such as oil to retain their
sealing properties


Rotary Compressors
How do they it work?
When a rotating mechanism spins past the inlet valve, it
creates a vacuum.
The fluid flows out of the valve behind it, filling the vacuum.
As it approaches the outlet valve, the chamber shrinks,
creating more pressure on the fluid.
The fluid has nowhere to go but out of the outlet valve, so it
shoots out of it.
Then the rotating mechanism continues on to draw more
fluid at the inlet valve.
How it works Video


Common Types of Rotary Compressors
Screw
Vane
Scroll
Screw
Two meshing helix screws
Rotors
Compact and smooth running
2 types - Oil Free and Oil Flooded
Oil Free No assistance from oil to cool and assist in sealing .
Oil Flooded Oil injected to aid in sealing and provide cooling.
Separator downstream to capture the oil

Vane Compressors
Vane housing on a off centered shaft
Vanes slide in an out always making contact with
the compressor walls
Gas enters in the largest opening
Exits the smallest
Good for low pressure applications
Efficient
Heat controlled by
oil injection
Scroll Compressor
How it works
2 Spirals
1 stationary, 1 orbits without rotating
1
st
orbit entraps inlet gas
Subsequent orbits compresses gas and exited out the center
Generally 2-3 orbits for a full cycle
Video
Advantages
Compact
Steady flow
Low energy use
Quiet
Smooth operation

What is a Dynamic Compressor?
A compressor using a rotating mechanism to add
velocity and pressure to gas.
Continuous Flow
What are the Two Types of Dynamic
Compressors?
Centrifugal
Axial


Centrifugal Compressors
Rotating disk (impeller) forces gas to the rim of the
impeller, increasing velocity
The diffuser converts the velocity energy to pressure
energy.
Primarily used for continuous, stationary service in
industries such as refineries, chemical plants and snow
making operations
Single Stage and Multi-Stage Compressors
How a Centrifugal Compressor Works
Impeller
Most critical part of a centrifugal compressor
Compressor performance determined by impeller:
Size
Shape
Speed
3 types of Impellers
Closed
Most common
Shroud covering both sides of the blade
Center eye hole for gas to enter
Used in Multi-stage compressors
Semi open
Open
Multi-Stage Compressors
Diaphragm
Specially designed casing wall separating the stages
Gas passes through the difuser
Passes through the return channel in the diaphragm
Controlling Axial Load on the Shaft
Bearing Review
Thrust Bearing
Axial Compressors
Gas flows parallel to the axis of rotation
Unlike centrifugal that has radial components
Has rotating and stationary components
Rotating airfoil rotor
Stationary airfoil stator
Similar number of these on
a shaft
Video
Axial Compressors
High Volume
High Efficiency
High Cost
Common Uses
Gas Turbines
Jet engines
Power stations
Nickname Superchargers



1. What is a Compressor?
2. What happens to the temperature and the volume of a gas
as it is compressed?
3. What are the 2 categories of Compressors?
4. Explain the difference between a positive displacement and
radial compressor.
5. Explain how a reciprocating compressor works.
6. Describe a Hermetically sealed compressor.
7. Explain how a rotary compressor works.
8. Describe how a scroll compressor works.
9. Explain how a multi stage compressor works.
10. What type of compressor is found on jet aircraft?