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The three basic types of air
compressors are
These types are further specified
by:
- • the
number of compression stages
- • cooling
method (air, water, oil)
- • drive
method (motor, engine, steam, other)
-
• lubrication (oil, Oil-Free where Oil
Free means no
lubricating oil contacts the
compressed air)
-
• packaged or custom-built
Reciprocating Air Compressors
Champion Advantage
Reciprocating air compressors (also
known as piston compressors) are positive
displacement machines, meaning that they increase the
pressure of the air by reducing its volume. This means they are
taking in successive volumes of air which is confined within a
closed space and elevating this air to a higher pressure. The
reciprocating air compressor accomplishes this by a piston within a
cylinder as the compressing and displacing element.
Single-stage and two-stage reciprocating
compressors are commercially available.
-
• Single-stage compressors are
generally used for pressures in the range of 70 psig to 100
psig.
Two-stage compressors are generally
used for higher pressures in the range of 100 psig to 250
psig.
Note that
- • 1
HP ~ 4 CFM at 100 psi
and that 1 to 50 HP are
typically for reciprocating units. Compressors 100 hp and
above are typically Rotary Screw or Centrifugal Compressors.
The reciprocating air compressor is
single acting when the compressing is accomplished
using only one side of the piston. A compressor using both sides of
the piston is considered double acting.
Load reduction is achieved by unloading
individual cylinders. Typically this is accomplished by throttling
the suction pressure to the cylinder or bypassing air either within
or outside the compressor. Capacity control is achieved by varying
speed in engine-driven units through fuel flow control.
Reciprocating air compressors are
available either as air-cooled or water-cooled in lubricated and
non-lubricated configurations and provide a wide range of pressure
and capacity selections.
Rotary Screw Compressors
Champion
RotorChamp
Rotary air compressors are
positive displacement compressors. The most common
rotary air compressor is the single stage helical or spiral lobe
oil flooded screw air compressor. These compressors consist of two
rotors within a casing where the rotors compress the air
internally. There are no valves. These units are basically oil
cooled (with air-cooled or water-cooled oil coolers) where the oil
seals the internal clearances.
Since the cooling takes place right
inside the compressor, the working parts never experience extreme
operating temperatures. The rotary compressor, therefore, is a
continuous duty, air cooled or water cooled compressor package.
Rotary screw air compressors are easy
to maintain and operate. Capacity control for these compressors is
accomplished by variable speed and variable compressor
displacement. For the latter control technique, a slide valve is
positioned in the casing. As the compressor capacity is reduced,
the slide valve opens, bypassing a portion of the compressed air
back to the suction. Advantages of the rotary screw compressor
include smooth, pulse-free air output in a compact size with high
output volume over a long life.
The oil free rotary screw air
compressor utilizes specially designed air ends to compress air
without oil in the compression chamber yielding true oil free air.
Oil free rotary screw air compressors are available air cooled and
water cooled and provide the same flexibility as oil flooded
rotaries when oil free air is required.

Centrifugal Compressors
The centrifugal air compressor is a
dynamic compressor which depends on transfer of
energy from a rotating impeller to the air.
Centrifugal compressors produce
high-pressure discharge by converting angular momentum imparted by
the rotating impeller (dynamic displacement). In order to do this
efficiently, centrifugal compressors rotate at higher speeds than
the other types of compressors. These types of compressors are also
designed for higher capacity because flow through the compressor is
continuous.
Adjusting the inlet guide vanes is the
most common method to control capacity of a centrifugal compressor.
By closing the guide vanes, volumetric flows and capacity are
reduced.
The centrifugal air compressor is an
oil free compressor by design. The oil lubricated running gear is
separated from the air by shaft seals and atmospheric vents.
Search now for air
compressors available all online or call our customer service
team toll-free 866-650-1937 for questions, pricing, or to
order.