There are two main types of compressors, positive displacement and Dynamic.
Positive displacement air compressors raise air pressure by reducing the volume of air within a confined space. The scroll compressors use two inter-meshing scrolls, where one scroll is moving, and the other scroll is stationary (reference photo below). Ambient air will get trapped at the inlet side, and as the orbiting scroll moves, the spiral volume gets smaller and smaller. When volume decreases, the pressure will increase. Rotary Scroll air compressors are less common in the rotary family, as they are limited in capacity.
The dynamic type raises the air pressure by using kinetic energy and velocity with rotating impellers that continuously bring in airflow. In this blog, I will cover the centrifugal type of the dynamic branch.
As mentioned, the centrifugal compressor works by transforming kinetic energy and velocity into pressure. Ambient air passes through guide vanes into the center of a rotating Impeller with radial blades and is then pushed outward by a centrifugal force.
With the increase in pressure, you will get an increase in heat. It is a natural occurrence with air compressors. Heat from the centrifugal compressor is dissipated by heat exchangers before moving onto the next stage. Multiple stages are required to raise the pressure to a sufficient level for typical industrial plant requirements. The most common centrifugal air compressors have two to four stages to generate pressures up to 100 to 150 PSIG. Centrifugal compressors are near the middle of the road regarding efficiency. Their typical operating cost is 16 to 20 kW/100 CFM.
Advantages:
- Up to 1500 HP systems are available
- Price per horsepower drops as system size increases
- Supplies lubricant-free air
- Special installation pads are not required for installation
Disadvantages:
- Costs more Initially
- Requires specialized maintenance
No matter the type of air compressor that you use, they are very costly to operate. To help you use them efficiently and safely, EXAIR offers a range of products that can clean, cool, blow, conserve, and convey. This would include our Super Air Knives, Super Air Nozzles, Safety Air Guns, Cabinet Coolers, and much more. If you want to save energy, increase safety, and cut costs no matter what size air compressor you have, contact an Application Engineer at EXAIR. We will be happy to help you make your use of compressed air as efficient and safe as possible.
Jordan Shouse
Application Engineer
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