Compressors

Raise Pressure
Examples: Refrigerator Compressor (As pressure increases, temperature
decreases)
Examples: Aircon Compressor (

Types
Reciprocating compressors, or piston compressors, divided into hermetic, semi-hermetic and
open, are used above all for applications with very high cooling capacity requirements. In the past
these were also used in applications with very low cooling capacities due to their low costs, however
they've progressively been replaced by rotary compressors.
These types of compressors adopt a volumetric compression system using pistons and work much
like an internal combustion engine. The pistons run up and down inside cylinders, producing suction
and compression of the refrigerant gas. Each cylinder has a suction valve for the gas refrigerant and
a discharge valve to deliver the gas to the condenser after having been compressed.
Obviously in this case there's no combustion stage as in the case of vehicle engines.
In general these are noisy compressors and create considerable vibrations that are felt around the
entire circuit.
Their construction technology is however quite simple and well established, making these
compressors the best choice in the past for low cost and low capacity home or commercial
applications. They've now been replaced by rotary compressors, which offer better performance and
lower costs.
They can however reach very high capacities, and for applications exceeding one megawatt they're
currently the only solution available.
Reciprocating compressors are defined as open when one end of the crankshaft protrudes outside
of the sump (the casing that houses the pistons and mechanisms inside the compressor) and can be
opened. Semi-hermetic means the compressor itself and the motor are housed in the same casing,
which is designed to be opened for inspection and servicing. In this case, the motor shaft and
crankshaft are one single piece. Semi-hermetic compressors are made in such a way as to avoid air
or dust from entering the mechanisms.
Reciprocating compressors are called hermetic when the casing is welded and sealed and the
cylinder heads cannot be accessed for inspection or maintenance.
Rotary compressors, which include rotary vane, scroll, screw and centrifugal compressors, are
hermetic compressors used in many applications and over different operating ranges.

Rotary vane compressors consist of a cylindrical casing, two openings - one suction and one
discharge - and a rotor positioned eccentrically with respect to the casing.
Compression occurs by refrigerant flowing into the chamber where, due to eccentric rotation, there is
a reduction in the desired volume.
The advantages of rotary vane compressors are low cost and compact dimensions, making these
the best choice for low capacity home applications (fridges, freezers, air-conditioners).
A more advanced version is the "twin" compressor, featuring two rotors revolving in counter rotating
directions; these have even lower noise and generate less vibrations, making these compressors
often a preferable alternative to scroll compressors, which tend to be more expensive and bulky.
Twin rotary compressors also have increased energy efficiency and the same low cost as the
traditional version. This makes them suitable for higher cooling capacity applications (up to 50 kW),
moreover with good results in industrial contexts.
The top in rotary technology involves compressors fitted with inverters and brushless DC motors
(see "EFFICIENCY IN REFRIGERANT CIRCUITS").
Currently, these are the compressors with the best capacity/dimensions ratio, being able to reach
7800 rpm against the 5400-6600 typically achieved by scroll compressors.
Scroll compressors use two scrolls, one fixed and the other moving and coupled to the motor.
The scrolls are interleaved so as to be in contact with one another in various places and thus form a
series of gradually thinner pockets of air towards the centre. The fluid is compressed by rotation of
the orbiting scroll around the fixed scroll until being discharged in the centre.
Scroll compressors are widely used in home and commercial air-conditioning systems, in heat
pumps and in air-conditioning systems for telephone applications (shelter, close control units).
Capacity ranges from 3 to 120 kW, and consequently they have limited use in refrigeration
applications with low cooling capacity, where piston and rotary compressors are preferred, and high
capacity air-conditioning applications, where screw or centrifugal compressors are preferred.
Advantages of scroll compressors include relative small dimensions and much lower weight than
medium capacity reciprocating compressors, albeit higher than rotary compressors. They also
feature excellent efficiency at a defined compression ratio, which nonetheless decreases with
variations in operating conditions.
Other benefits are low noise and reduced vibrations. High efficiency versions of these compressors
are also available fitted with inverters and brushless DC motors (see "EFFICIENCY IN
REFRIGERANT CIRCUITS").
Screw compressors are based on a mechanism made up of two intermeshing screws, called
rotors. As the rotors revolve, the fluid is drawn in through the inlet port, filling the volume between
two lobes.

When the spaces between the lobes are full of fluid, suction ceases, the fluid between the lobes is
then forced due to rotation into an increasingly small space, causing compression. When the lobes
reach a certain position, the compressed fluid is completely discharged through the outlet port.
These compressors require abundant lubrication due to the meshing of the two rotors. Abundant
lubrication and subsequent cooling of the oil using a special heat exchanger guarantees higher
compression ratios than reciprocating compressors, meaning wide use in both refrigeration and airconditioning (large chillers operating on R410A).
Finally, a sliding valve mechanism that opens a passageway between the inlet and the compressor
casing in a position where the rotors have already partially compressed the fluid allows a continuous
reduction in refrigerant flow, down to 25% of the maximum, thus guaranteeing greater compressor
efficiency in part load conditions.
Centrifugal compressors feature a cast iron casing, a steel shaft and a cast aluminium alloy
impeller.
The fluid is drawn in by the impeller near its axis and due to centrifugal force is pushed to the edge
of the compressor casing. The fluid leaves the impeller with significant kinetic energy, which is then
converted into pressure energy in the diffuser.
Use is limited to high cooling capacities and low compression ratios (usually large chillers running on
R134A)
Cooling capacity can be varied using fins that change the angle at which fluid enters the impeller.
SOURCE: http://www.carel.com/types-of-compressor

Screw compressor to minimize noise

Reciprocating or Piston compressors are the most common machines available on the market. They are
positive displacement compressors and can be found in ranges from fractional to very high horsepowers.
Positive displacement air compressors work by filling an air chamber with air and then reducing the
chambers volume (Reciprocating, Rotary Screw and Rotary Sliding Vane are all positive displacement
compressors). Reciprocating compressors work in a very similar manner as does as internal combustion
engine but basically in a reverse process. They have cylinders, pistons, crankshafts, valves and housing
blocks.
Rotary Screw Compressors work on the principle of air filling the void between two helical mated screws
and their housing. As the two helical screws are turned, the volume is reduced resulting in an increase of
air pressure. Most rotary screw compressors inject oil into the bearing and compression area. The
reasons are for cooling, lubrication and creating a seal between screws and the housing wall to reduce
internal leakage. After the compression cycle, the oil and air must be separated before the air can be
used by the air system.
Rotary Sliding Vane Compressors like Reciprocating and Rotary Screw compressors are positive
displacement compressors. The compressor pump consists primarily of a rotor, stator, and 8 blades. The
slotted rotor is eccentrically arranged within the stator providing a crescent shaped swept area between

the intake and exhaust ports. As the rotor turns a single revolution, compression is achieved as the
volume goes from a maximum at the intake ports to a minimum at the exhaust port. The vanes are forced
outward from within the rotor slots and held against the stator wall by rotational acceleration. Oil is
injected into the air intake and along the stator walls to cool the air, lubricate the bearings and vanes, and
provide a seal between the vanes and the stator wall. After the compression cycle, the oil and air must be
separated before the air can be transferred to the air system.
Centrifugal Compressors are not positive displacement compressors like the Reciprocating, Screw or
Vane Compressors. They use very high speed spinning impellers (up to 60,000 rpm) to accelerate the air
then diffuser to decelerate the air. This process, called dynamic compression, uses velocity to cause an
increase in pressure. In most Centrifugal compressors, there are several of these impeller/diffuser
combinations. Typically, these machines have intercoolers between each stage to cool the air as well as
remove 100% of the condensate to avoid impeller damage due to erosion.

SOURCE: http://www.daveycompressor.com/differenttype.html