Air Compressor Basics

There are three basic types of drives for air compressors.

Air compressor basics.

Single stage tops out at about 150 psi. These are designed for continuous use and are often used with tools that run for several seconds or minutes at a time such as impact wrenches and jackhammers and in industrial applications. Before tackling air compressor troubleshooting or maintenance you need to first understand the air compressor basics in this tutorial. Most air compressors use either centrifugal impellers left or rotary screws right to compress air.

Most of the compressors you ll run across do this job with a reciprocating piston. Like a small internal. This momentum is converted to useful pressure by slowing the air down in a stationary diffuser. An air compressor increases the pressure of inlet air by reducing its volume.

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. The rotor accomplishes this by changing the momentum and pressure of the air. 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.

Piston compressors come in single stage and two stage. 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. The centrifugal air compressor is a dynamic compressor that depends on transfer of energy from a rotating impeller to the air. Choke and surge occur at the extreme ends of the performance curve and should be avoided.

It is an oil free compressor by design. The choice depends on several factors including the speed requirement of the compressor airend and the manufacturer s preference. By one of several methods an air compressor forces more and more air into a storage tank increasing the pressure. Also be sure to see m.

Compressor capacity should be stated at plant conditions which are actual cubic feet per minute acfm. V belt direct and gear. The other type of air compressor is the rotary screw. 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.