Air Compressor Basics

A reciprocating compressor uses the piston movement inside a cylinder to compress air.

Air compressor basics.

This momentum is converted to useful pressure by slowing the air down in a stationary diffuser. Before tackling air compressor troubleshooting or maintenance you need to first understand the air compressor basics in this tutorial. V belt direct and gear. It is an oil free compressor by design.

Compressor capacity should be stated at plant conditions which are actual cubic feet per minute acfm. 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. A fourth type is a combination of any of the above with a variable speed motor. Centrifugal air compressor basics key concepts centrifugal compressors are most effective when running at full capacity.

By one of several methods an air compressor forces more and more air into a storage tank increasing the pressure. The rotor accomplishes this by changing the momentum and pressure of the air. 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. 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.

Piston compressors come in single stage and two stage. Like a small internal. The other type of air compressor is the rotary screw. The centrifugal air compressor is a dynamic compressor that depends on transfer of energy from a rotating impeller to the air.

Most of the compressors you ll run across do this job with a reciprocating piston. Here air pressure is increased by reducing the size of the space that contains the air. Choke and surge occur at the extreme ends of the performance curve and should be avoided. The choice depends on several factors including the speed requirement of the compressor airend and the manufacturer s preference.

Most air compressors use either centrifugal impellers left or rotary screws right to compress air. The majority of air compressors have at their core either centrifugal impellers or rotary screws figure 1 that compress the air. Also be sure to see m. An air compressor increases the pressure of inlet air by reducing its volume.