Compressors & its types

M Rizwan Raza
(2k16-ChE-13)
 Compressor

• A compressor is a mechanical device that

increases the pressure of a gas by reducing
its volume. An air compressor is a specific
type of gas compressor.
 Compressors are similar to pumps:

• Both increase the pressure on a fluid and both can

transport the fluid through a pipe. As gases are
compressible, the compressor also reduces the volume of
a gas. Liquids are relatively incompressible; while some
can be compressed, the main action of a pump is to
pressurize and transport liquids.
 Types

1. Double Acting Piston Type Compressors

2. Screw Compressors
3. Radial Flow & Axial Flow Fan
4. Centrifugal Compressors
Double Acting Piston Type Compressors
 Working Principle
• These type of compressors have two sets of suction/intake and delivery/exhaust
valve on both sides of the piston. As the piston moves up and down, both sides
of the piston is utilized in compressing the air. The intake and exhaust valve
operates corresponding to the movement of the piston or with the stroke of the
compressor. The air is compressed accordingly and delivered continuously as
compared to single-acting air compressor.
• The reciprocating compressor is single acting when the compressing is
accomplished using only one side of piston and double acting when both the
sides of piston used.
 Uses
• Gas pipelines
• Chemical plants
• Oil refineries
• Natural gas processing plants
• Refrigeration plants
• In blowing of PET bottles
• Power generation
 Advantages

• Relatively Cheap
• Easy maintenance
• Suitable for high pressure
 Disadvantages

• Sounds too much. You have to arrange a room for it or put it into isolating
box.
• High outlet temperature of compressed air.
• High oil content in air piping.
Screw Compressors
 Working Principle
• A screw compressor consists of two screws - one with convex and the other with
concave contour mostly called male and female rotor respectively.
• These two screws get rotating by means of gear trips there by sucking the air
through an inlet port in chamber and then compressing the same. The helix of the
male and female rotor screw is designed to permit complete charging of the inter
lobe space before the re-mesh. On completion of the filling operation the inlet end
of male and female lobes begins to re-engage thus reduces the volume of air
continuously. Thus compression begins and air is discharged at the end of other
side. There is no contact between male and female rotors and casing. Hence no
lubrication requires but oil may inject for the purpose of cooling.
 Uses
• Wastewater Treatment
• Rubber and Plastics
• Automotive
• Apparel
• Agriculture
• Power Generation
• Petroleum
 Advantages

• Screw compressors have 25 to 30 percent higher energy efficiency than

piston compressors.
• Screw compressors have a lot less noise and vibration than piston
compressors.
• Screw compressors occupy less space than piston compressors.
 Disadvantages

• Screw compressors are more expensive than piston compressors.

• The wheel requires a more experienced operator to maintain the machine.
• Use of inappropriate oil and non-standard parts of the device will be
vulnerable.
Radial Flow & Axial Flow Fan
 Working Principle (Axial Fan)
• Axial fans are named for the direction of the airflow they create. Blades
rotating around an axis draw air in parallel to that axis and force air out in the
same direction.
• Axial fans create airflow with a high flow rate, meaning they create a large
volume of airflow. However, the airflows they create are of low pressure.
They require a low power input for operation.
 Working Principle(Radial Fan)
• Often called blowers, centrifugal fans vary differently from axial fans. The
pressure of an incoming airstream is increased by a fan wheel, a series of
blades mounted on a circular hub. Centrifugal fans move air radially — the
direction of the outward flowing air is changed, usually by 90°, from the
direction of the incoming air.
• The airflow created by centrifugal fans is directed through a system of ducts
or tubes. This helps create a higher pressure airflow than axial fans. Despite a
lower flow rate, centrifugal fans create a steadier flow of air than axial fans.
Centrifugal fans also require a higher power input.
 Uses (Axial Fan)

• Cooling towers
• Propellers in aircraft, helicopters, hovercrafts, ships and hydrofoils
• Outdoor air condioners
• Electronic component cooling & combustion engine cooling
• Condensors
 Uses (Radial fan)
• Industrial/mining/petrochemical
• Dust extraction applications
• High-pressure applications
• Air conveyor systems
• Cooling & drying systems
 (Axial fan)
Advantages Disadvantages
Displaces a large volume of air High noise level
due to its size.
High air flow rates Low pressure
Quick acceleration Turbulence (Life span of air
distribution hoses)
 (Radial Fan)

Advantages Disadvantages
High pressure Weight
High energy efficiency Dimensions
Easy to maintain Only suitable for low–medium
airflow rates
Enhanced durability
Centrifugal Compressors
 Working Principle
• The gas enters the primary suction eye of this high speed rotary element
known as impeller, which consists of radial vanes cast in it. As the impeller
starts rotating, the blades on the impeller pushes the gas outwards from
Centre to open end of impeller. So a high pressure region is created which
helps in the formation of compression. For perfect working of the
compressor, it must be maintained in an oil seal environment.
 Uses
• Gas turbines
• Oil refineries , petrochemical and chemical plants
• Refrigeration and air control
• Compressed gas or air
• Food Industry
• Hydraulic compressors for Industrial machines
 Advantages

• It is relatively agile and easy to manufacturer.

• It is highly energy efficient and reliable.
• They are absolutely oil free in nature.
• Wide Operating ranges.
• Low initial cost
• Low maintenance costs
 Disadvantages

• They produce a limited amount of pressure and are not suitable for very
high compression.
• Limited turn downs
• Sensitive to changes in gas compositions
• Very unstable when the flow is reduced.
Difference between Compressor, blower and fan

• The major parameter that puts aside a fan from a blower and a compressor is
“Specific Ratio”
• It is the ratio of the pressure at the outlet of the delivery to that of the
pressure at the inlet. Thus it defines the extent upto which the fluid is
compressed. Often the 3 are known to be differentiated by the flow rates.
• Fans and blowers are used to increase the flow rate of gas, with small change
in pressure. Compressors are the devices used for high pressures and low
flow rates.
 Cont…
• A fan and a blower are often misunderstood for the same. General
application for a fan is when a volume of air(without any carrying particulate
carrying medium) needs to be transferred from one point to another. A
blower is used to transfer a fluid carrying certain particulate matter(dust,
coal, powder etc.) from one point to another.
• The below graph shows the range of specific ratio.