Gas Compressor
Gas Compressor
Gas Compressor
THEORETICAL APPLICATION
THEORETICAL APPLICATION
THEORETICAL APPLICATION
Gas compressor
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A portable air compressor for construction work
Types of compressors
There are many different types of gas compressors. The two primary categories are:
Centrifugal compressors
Axial-flow compressors
Reciprocating compressors
Reciprocating compressors use pistons driven by a crankshaft. They can be either
stationary or portable, can be single or multi-staged, and can be driven by electric motors
or internal combustion engines. Small reciprocating compressors from 5 to
30 horsepower (hp) are commonly seen in automotive applications and are typically for
intermittent duty. Larger reciprocating compressors up to 1000 hp are still commonly
found in large industrial applications, but their numbers are declining as they are replaced
by various other types of compressors. Discharge pressures can range from low
pressure to very high pressure (>5000 psi or 35 MPa). In certain applications, such as air
compression, multi-stage double-acting compressors are said to be the most efficient
compressors available, and are typically larger, noisier, and more costly than comparable
rotary units.[1]
Scroll compressors
Diaphragm compressors
A diaphragm compressor (also known as a membrane compressor) is a variant of the
conventional reciprocating compressor. The compression of gas occurs by the movement
of a flexible membrane, instead of an intake element. The back and forth movement of
the membrane is driven by a rod and a crankshaft mechanism. Only the membrane and
the compressor box come in touch with the gas being compressed.
Diaphragm compressors are used for hydrogen and compressed natural gas (CNG) as
well as in a number of other applications.
THEORETICAL APPLICATION
M iscellany
Air compressors sold to and used by the general public are often attached on top of a
tank for holding the pressurized air. Oil-lubricated and oil-free compressors are available.
Oil-free compressors are desirable because without a properly designed separator, oil
can make its way into the air stream. For some purposes, for example as a diving air
compressor, even a little oil in the air stream may be unacceptable.
Temperature
Charles's law says "when a gas is compressed, temperature is raised". There are three
possible relationships between temperature and pressure in a volume of gas undergoing
compression:
Staged compression
Since compression generates heat, the compressed gas is to be cooled between stages
making the compression less adiabatic and more isothermal. The inter -stage coolers
cause condensation meaning water separators with drain valves are present. The
compressor flywheel may drive a cooling fan.
For instance in a typical diving compressor, the air is compressed in three stages. If each
stage has a compression ratio of 7 to 1, the compressor can output 343 times
atmospheric pressure (7 x 7 x 7 = 343 Atmospheres).
Application
Gas compressors are used in various applications where either higher pressures or lower
volumes of gas are needed:
in pipeline transport of purified natural gas to move the gas from the production site
to the consumer.
THEORETICAL APPLICATION
in petroleum refineries, natural gas processing plants, petrochemical and chemical
plants, and similar large industrial plants for compressing intermediate and end
product gases.
in refrigeration and air conditioner equipment to move heat from one place to another
in refrigerant cycles: see Vapor-compression refrigeration.
in gas turbine systems to compress the intake combustion air
in storing purified or manufactured gases in a small volume, high pressure cylinders
for medical, welding and other uses.
in many various industrial, manufacturing and building processes to power all types
of pneumatic tools.
as a medium for transferring energy, such as to power pneumatic equipment.
in pressurised aircraft to provide a breathable atmosphere of higher than ambient
pressure.
in some types of jet engines (such as turbojets and turbofans) to provide the air
required for combustion of the engine fuel. The power to drive the combustion air
compressor comes from the jet's own turbines.
in SCUBA diving, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and other life support devices to
store breathing gas in a small volume such as in diving cylinders .
in submarines to store air for later use as buoyancy.
in turbochargers and superchargers to increase the performance of internal
combustion engines by concentrating oxygen.
in rail and heavy road transport to provide compressed air for operation
of brakes and various other systems (doors, windscreen
wipers, engine/gearbox control, etc.).
in miscellaneous uses such as providing compressed air for filling pneumatic tires.
THEORETICAL APPLICATION
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