The purpose of the compressor in the vapour compression cycle is to compress the

low-pressure dry gas from the evaporator and raise its pressure to that of the
condenser. Compressors may be divided into two types, positive displacement and
dynamic, as shown in Figure 4.1. Positive displacement types compress discrete
volumes of low-pressure gas by physically reducing the volumes causing a pressure
increase, whereas dynamic types raise the velocity of the low-pressure gas and
subsequently reduce it in a way which causes a pressure increase.


A look at how different compressors work
Most cooling systems, from residential air conditioners to large
commercial and industrial chillers, employ the refrigeration
process known as the vapour compression cycle. At the heart of
the vapour compression cycle is the mechanical compressor. A
compressor has two main functions:
1) to pump refrigerant through the cooling system.
2) to compress gaseous refrigerant in the system so that it can be
condensed to liquid and absorb heat from the air or water that is
being cooled or chilled (See the "How it Works" section of the
article "Gas Engine Chillers" for an explanation of the vapour
compression cycle).
There are many ways to compress a gas. As such, many different
types of compressors have been invented over the years. Each
type utilizes a specific and sometimes downright ingenious
method to pressurize refrigerant vapour. The five types of
compressors used in vapour compression systems are
Reciprocating, Rotary, Centrifugal, Screw and Scroll.



Compressors have many everyday uses, such as:
Air conditioners, (car, home)
Air pumps
Home and industrial refrigeration
High pressure car washes
Hydraulic compressors for industrial machines
Air compressors for industrial manufacturing

Compressors are used by many industries that depend on
the power of compressed gas or fluid to power
manufacturing processes of all kinds.




Reciprocating Compressors
Screw Compressors
Rotary Compressors
Centrifugal Compressor



The reciprocating compressors are one of the most widely used types of the refrigerating compressors. They
have piston and cylinder arrangement like the automotive engine. The reciprocating motion of the piston due to
external power compresses the refrigerant inside the cylinder. There are three types of reciprocating
compressors: hermetically sealed, semi-hermetically sealed and open type. The open of reciprocating
compressors can be of single cylinder type or multi-cylinder type.











A reciprocating compressor uses the reciprocating action of a piston inside a cylinder to compress refrigerant.
As the piston moves downward, a vacuum is created inside the cylinder. Because the pressure above the intake
valve is greater than the pressure below it, the intake valve is forced open and refrigerant is sucked into the
cylinder.
After the piston reaches its bottom position it begins to move upward. The intake valve closes, trapping the
refrigerant inside the cylinder.
As the piston continues to move upward it compresses the refrigerant, increasing its pressure. At a certain point
the pressure exerted by the refrigerant forces the exhaust valve to open and the compressed refrigerant flows out
of the cylinder.
Once the piston reaches it top-most position, it starts moving downward again and the cycle is repeated.



The screw compressors comprise of the pair of meshing screws between which the refrigerant
gets compressed. They can produce high pressure for small quantity of gas. They consume
less power than the reciprocating compressors and are being used widely. It can be used with
refrigerants like R12 (Dichlorodifluoromethane / Freon-12), R22(Chlorodifluoromethane),
and others.










Screw compressors use a pair of helical rotors.
As the rotors rotate they intermesh, alternately exposing and closing off interlobe spaces at
the ends of the rotors.
When an interlobe space at the intake end opens up, refrigerant is sucked into it.
As the rotors continue to rotate the refrigerant becomes trapped inside the interlobe space
and is forced along the length of the rotors. The volume of the interlobe space decreases and
the refrigerant is compressed.
The compressed refrigerant exists when the interlobe space reaches the other end. (male and
female) inside a sealed chamber.



The rotary compressors have two rotating elements, like gears, between which the
refrigerant is compressed. These compressors can pump the refrigerant to lower or
moderate condensing pressures. Since they can handle small volume of the gas and
produce lesser pressure, they are used in fewer applications.
In a rotary compressor the refrigerant is compressed by the rotating action of a roller
inside a cylinder.
The roller rotates eccentrically (off-centre) around a shaft so that part of the roller is
always in contact with the inside wall of the cylinder.
A spring-mounted blade is always rubbing against the roller.
The two points of contact create two sealed areas of continuously variable volume inside
the cylinder.
At a certain point in the rotation of the roller, the intake port is exposed and a quantity of
refrigerant is sucked into the cylinder, filling one of the sealed areas.
As the roller continues to rotate the volume of the area the refrigerant occupies is reduced
and the refrigerant is compressed.
When the exhaust valve is exposed, the high-pressure refrigerant forces the exhaust valve
to open and the refrigerant is released.
Rotary compressors are very efficient because the actions of taking in refrigerant and
compressing refrigerant occur simultaneously.



The centrifugal compressors comprise of the impeller or the blower that can handle large quantities
of gas but at relatively lower condensing pressure. It is suitable for working with refrigerants like R-11,
R-113 etc.




Centrifugal compressors use the rotating action of an impeller wheel to exert centrifugal force on
refrigerant inside a round chamber (volute).
Refrigerant is sucked into the impeller wheel through a large circular intake and flows between the
impellers. The impellers force the refrigerant outward, exerting centrifugal force on the refrigerant.
The refrigerant is pressurized as it is forced against the sides of the volute. Centrifugal compressors
are well suited to compressing large volumes of refrigerant to relatively low pressures.
The compressive force generated by an impeller wheel is small, so chillers that use centrifugal
compressors usually employ more than one impeller wheel, arranged in series.
Centrifugal compressors are desirable for their simple design and few moving parts.

DETERMINE COMPRESSOR MAINTENANCE CONCEPT

Maintenance Tip 1: Read and Follow Your Air Compressor's Manual
Nothing stops an air compressor faster than an owner who doesn't read the
owner's manual. There's going to be some simple tips in there for you that will
help you to get a nice long life out of your air compressor - simple stuff for you
to do that you would never have thought to do unless you read it. Plus, if you
don't follow the rules in your air compressor manual there's a chance that you'll
void your warranty. That in itself should be enough of an incentive to read the
"flipping" manual.
Maintenance Tip 2: Drain The Moisture From The Tanks
The receiver tank collects moisture from the air that it's compressing -
especially if you live in a humid climate. Most tanks have a valve for draining
this moisture that accumulates and it's up to you to make sure that these are
drained regularly. Before draining the water you should be sure to release the
air pressure from the tanks.

Maintenance Tip 3: Clean Intake Vents
If you force your air compressor to work too hard to intake air you're
losing power on your compression. This will gradually degrade the
quality of your tool. Be sure to keep your intake vent as clean as
possible and check them regularly especially if you're working in a
dusty or dirty environment.
Maintenance Tip 4: Tighten All Fasteners
Your air compressor's a running, vibrating engine and it will loosen its
screws, nuts and bolts on a regular basis. Be sure to check these
periodically and tighten them up if you find any that have jiggled loose.

Maintenance Tip 5: Check Hoses Regularly
Check all your hoses periodically as they are the veins of your air
compressor. If they become cracked or corroded they could soon begin
to leak and then put undue strain on the rest of your compressor's
components. Be sure to check them and replace them if you find them
cracked or damaged.

Maintenance Tip 6: Test the Safety Shutdown System
Your air compressor may have a built in safety shut down. The function
of this system is to shut off your compressor if it's getting too hot, or if
the engine's oil pressure is too low. This test will help you ensure a
longer lasting compressor.
Maintenance Tip 7: Check and Change Air Filters As Needed
A filthy air filter is only hurting your air compressor by allowing dirty
air from the outside in, plus forcing it to work harder to intake air.
Check your filters regularly and change them if you notice a heavy
build up of dust and dirt. Change every six months or so if you use it
infrequently.
Maintenance Tip 8: Clean the Fuel Tank
As with any engine you need to periodically clean out the fuel tank to
ensure optimal operating conditions. You should look to clean out the
engine on your air compressor once every year or so to remove any
residual build up from the fuel. This will preserve the life of your
engine.

Maintenance Tip 9: Check and Change the Compressor Oil
If you're running a compressor that uses oil you should be checking it
on a daily basis to make sure that your machine is topped off. Then,
every 500-1000 hours of use you should be changing this oil to ensure
maximum functioning of your air compressor.
Maintenance Tip 10: Change the Separator Element
The separator element prevents the excessive use of oil, but it has to be
replace periodically. Keep your compressor in top condition by
replacing the separator element every 1,000 hours of operation.
Maintenance Tip 11: Clean the Heat Exchangers
If your heat exchangers are dirty then they can't do their job, which is to
reduce the operating temperatures of your air compressor. Clean them
regularly to keep your operating temperatures down and increase the
life span of your air compressor.
By following the tips above you'll ensure a nice long life for your air
compressor, plus the jobs that you use it for will go faster and more
productively. A well maintained air compressor is a wonderful machine
for any job site or workshop, so keep yours running smoothly.

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSOR
HELICAL SCREW COMPRESSORS
A - Compressor interlobe spaces being filled.
B - Beginning of compression.
C - Full compression of trapped vapor.
D - Beginning of discharge of compressed vapor.
E - Compressed vapor fully discharged from interlobe spaces.

THE END