Air Compressor Basics

Piston compressors come in single stage and two stage.

Air compressor basics.

The choice depends on several factors including the speed requirement of the compressor airend and the manufacturer s preference. Centrifugal air compressor basics key concepts centrifugal compressors are most effective when running at full capacity. Also be sure to see m. This momentum is converted to useful pressure by slowing the air down in a stationary diffuser.

Choke and surge occur at the extreme ends of the performance curve and should be avoided. Air compressors operate by storing compressed air in a steel tank and releasing it in a controlled manner to operate a variety of tool attachments from air wrenches to sanding and grinding equipment to air nailers to painting tools. Here air pressure is increased by reducing the size of the space that contains the air. A reciprocating compressor uses the piston movement inside a cylinder to compress air.

A fourth type is a combination of any of the above with a variable speed motor. V belt direct and gear. Compressor capacity should be stated at plant conditions which are actual cubic feet per minute acfm. There are three basic types of drives for air compressors.

These are designed for continuous use and are often used with tools that run for several seconds or minutes at a time such as impact wrenches and jackhammers and in industrial applications. The other type of air compressor is the rotary screw. As the piston moves downward the exhaust valve closes and a vacuum is created inside the cylinder forcing the intake valve to open and suck air into the cylinder. Like a small internal.

An air compressor increases the pressure of inlet air by reducing its volume. Most of the compressors you ll run across do this job with a reciprocating piston. It is an oil free compressor by design. An air compressoris a device that converts power using an electric motor diesel or gasoline engine etc into potential energystored in pressurized air i e compressed air.

Single stage tops out at about 150 psi. The majority of air compressors have at their core either centrifugal impellers or rotary screws figure 1 that compress the air. Most air compressors use either centrifugal impellers left or rotary screws right to compress air. The centrifugal air compressor is a dynamic compressor that depends on transfer of energy from a rotating impeller to the air.