Types of piston compressors: what you need to know before going to the store

Compressor - what is it and what is its purpose?

Compressor - a device designed to compress air. Additionally, compressors store compressed air for later use in pneumatic equipment. Piston compressors are a type that use pistons with cylinders to compress air. There are 9 types in total. Compressors can be axial, centrifugal, rotary vane, roots, screw, scroll, diaphragm, vortex and piston.

We will analyze the types and types of the latter in this article. After reading it, you will learn what compressors are and what their purpose is, how piston compressors are classified, their types and how piston compressors work.

Piston air compression equipment is classified according to the type of their design, where the cylinders are located, whether oil is used in the system (oil or oil-free), and also according to how many stages the air passes through.

Types of piston compressors

Devices are distinguished depending on the pressure output:

• Low-power - from 5 to 12 bar (household and semi-industrial models, used in workshops)
• Specialized - 12-100 bar (used in medium-sized industrial enterprises)
• High-power – more than 100 bar (professional equipment)

Depending on the type of impact, there are single and double compressors.

Based on the presence of lubricant:

• Compressors with cylinder lubrication
• Compressors without cylinder lubrication

By how they are installed:

• Horizontally
• Vertical
• Into the corner

You can also differentiate between portable and fixed compressors.

Devices can use:

• Direct drive
• Belt drive

In direct drive compressors, the motor and piston unit are mounted opposite each other. The transmission of torque from the engine goes directly to the piston, bypassing losses during transmission through the belt. Such devices are more economical, they are large, powerful, and have low noise levels during operation. Their efficiency is higher than that of belt compressors. The cost and price of repairs are higher than analogues. Used where greater power is needed, rather than operating time. Used for semi-industrial purposes.

In belt-driven compressors, the engine and the piston block are located parallel to each other, but so that their shafts can be connected by a belt. Such devices are smaller, dynamic, and cheap. They can work for a long time without a break. Popular in everyday life and workshops.

The last factor in our article by which compressors can be distinguished is the number of gas compression stages. The efficiency of a piston compressor directly depends on them and the number of cylinders. Compressors can be:

1. Single stage
2. Multi-stage

In single stage air or other gas is compressed once, for this there are one or two cylinders in them. Then it goes to the receiver along the main line, from where the user receives compressed gas.

In multi-stage there is an additional stage - the gas is also compressed in the cylinder, but is then cooled and compressed in a second cylinder with a smaller piston. Then according to the standard - trunk, receiver, user.

Depending on the compression stages, the compressor may have one, two or three cylinders. For domestic tasks (small and medium-sized workshops), single-cylinder compressors are suitable. Two- and three-cylinder compressors are used for industrial and semi-industrial purposes.

Operating principle of a piston compressor

The electric motor rotates the piston shaft either directly or through a belt. The piston shaft is designed so that when it rotates, the piston moves forward/backward. When the piston moves back, the outlet valve is pressed and sucked into the gas outlet tube, sealing it tightly. The air supply valve, on the contrary, opens. Air is pumped through it into the cylinder. Then the piston changes its movement and pushes the air. The air supply valve closes, and air presses on the outlet valve, opening it. So, gas/air is pumped into the line to a certain pressure, which is then used by the user.