What is a Compressor?

What is key difference between a Fluid and a Gas? What happens to gas volume as it is compressed?
Compressibility a gas is compressible Decreases

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 happens to the Temperature of the Gas as it is compressed?

Increases

Compressors are classified by how they work Two Categories of Compressors What is a Positive Displacement Compressor?
Positive Displacement Dynamic

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?

Continuous Flow

A compressor using a rotating mechanism to add velocity and pressure to gas.

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 1st 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

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