Air
Compressor is a device which is convert energy (like electrical motor, diesel
engine or gasoline engine) by storing pressurized air into potential energy.
Working method on an air compressor is store the air in tank by more forces and
shut off after reaching its higher pressure limit. This pressurized air used in
various work by a pneumatic system, when the tank pressure reaches a certain
limit, compressor start again to fill the air tank. Electrical and Air pressure
are the two power source which are mostly use in many industries all over the
world.
Air Compressor
Types
There are several types of air
compressors according
to the design and principle of operation:
Reciprocating compressors: Using a reciprocating
piston which is moved up and down by a rotating crankshaft, like a car engine.
Single Stage and Two Stage Reciprocating compressors are commonly used.
Rotary Screw air compressors: Using
two meshed screw drives that constantly rotate to force air to down the shaft
from the larger, from least-compressed grooves to more compressed grooves. Mainly
used in Industrial purposes.
Rotary Vane Compressors: A rotor
with a number of spring-loaded blades are using here. This rotor is set inside
a cylinder, spins to move air from the larger area of the cylinder into the
smaller side. By the movement of this rotor from large area to small area compresses
the air.
There are other types of compressor,
but these are the very common.
How Reciprocating
Air Compressors Work?
All air compressors working
principle are same, moving air from a larger area to a smaller area. Here we discuses
about Reciprocating Air Compressor.
These
types of compressor working like a car engine. An electric motor (sometimes a
gas engine) rotates a crankshaft that moves the connecting rod, which causes
the piston to move up and down inside the compression chamber.
On
the down stroke, the inlet valve opens and air comes from the outside. Piston
compressors have a weakness from dirt, so an air filter is using to remove the
dirt from air.
On
the upstroke, the inlet valve shut-off, and the unload valve opens, passing the
compressed air to the air tank. When the piston moves down, this discharge
valve remains close. Air come into compression chamber, trapping the compressed
air in the storage tank and the inlet valve opens, repeating the cycle.
Important Parts
of an Air Compressor
Pressure Switches
The
pressure switches use for measuring the pressure amount which is building
inside the tank and control the motor. This pressure switch use to ensure motor
run at low air pressure and cut-off at high air pressure. It is a safety device
to ensuring the safety of device as well as user. When motor start, air goes to
the tank and a pressure is building up. At a set pressure point, pressure
switch give a high pressure signal and switch off the motor. After some use of
air from the tank, pressure is going low and a start signal goes to the motor
to start.
This
difference between the low pressure point and the high pressure point is called
the “pressure differential.”
Overload Valve
Overload
valve is another safety device to protect the air storage tank from explosion.
Every air compressor’ tanks must have a certain standards. An overload valve’s
parameter adjust by tanks standard to control the over pressure.
Air Regulator
There
are two gauges used in air compressor, one in air tank for showing the pressure
of the tank. Another one for measuring how much air flowing out, this gauge is
regulated by a knob to adjust air pressure how much you need.
Drain Valve
A
drain valve is using in air tank to remove water component from compressed air.
When air is compressed, air is going lose its temperature and some moisture is
gain in the air.
Terms and
Specifications for Air Compressor
Now
talk about some terms and specification to understand the nameplate of an air
compressor.
Horsepower: This terms using
mainly for motor or engine which is run the air compressor. It may be written
in horsepower or kilowatt (KW). This term is for showing how much power consummated
by a compressor.
Pressure: Low and high
pressure range is given by this term. The unit of this pressure is given in Pounds
per Square Inch or PSI.
Power Source: As run by electric
power, air compressors need 3 phase or single phase electrical power. For large
volume air compressor 3 phase motor is using. Small compressor runs by single
phase motor.
Air Tank: This
specification is varying for users to user. Air tank will depends on how much
air you need for your work.
