Read All About: Air Compressors

What is an Air Compressor?

An Air Compressor is a device that increases the amount of air that is contained within a particular space. By packing in the air, the air pressure is increased. This creates a force that is useful for a variety of purposes, such as industrial, manufacturing, commercial and personal purposes. Industrial Compressors are designed to compress (over 20 psi) and move air and other gases such as hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen. Centrifugal Compressors use centrifugal forces to pump air or gas to develop pressure and they typically operate at speeds of 3500 rpm or higher. Multiple stages are used to produce the required pressure rise. This type of Compressor is driven by an electric motor, steam turbine, or gas turbine, with or without speed increasing gears.

The main types of Compressors include:

• Centrifugal Compressors
• Rotary Compressors
• Reciprocating Compressors

Man-made Air Compressors usually fall into one of two types, either dynamic or positive displacement, and are defined by their mode of operation. A positive displacement Air Compressor works by filling and then emptying an air chamber. Dynamic Air Compressors, on the other hand, use a rotating device to accelerate and then decelerate air. This process uses the speed or velocity of the air to increase the air's pressure. Centrifugal air compressors are dynamic air compressors.

Three common types of positive displacement Air Compressors are rotary screw, reciprocating and rotary sliding vane Air Compressors. Positive displacement type machines are Rotary Compressors, Blowers, and Vacuum Pumps. This type of machine incorporates rotating internal lobes, screws or vanes that compress the gas or air. They are constant volume machines with variable discharge pressure. The volume can be varied only by changing the speed or bypassing or wasting some of the capacity of the machine. The types of rotary compressors are classified by the type of rotor they use. These include: straight-lobe, sliding vane, liquid piston and screw type. Reciprocating Compressors (see Figure 1.) are furnished in either single-stage or multi-stage types. The principle parts of this type of machine are the cylinders and the pistons. The different types you will see include single acting air cooled or water cooled, single stage double acting water cooled, horizontal or vertical.

How an Air Compressor is Used:

Compressed air can be used in a variation of ways. It can be used to alter chemical composition, as in the case of making fertilizer; it can be used for industrial purposes, such as production line manufacturing processes; or it can be used to maintain industrial plants. Perhaps the most well-known use of Air Compressors is in the case of pneumatic tools such as air-powered nail guns, staplers, sanders, spray guns and ratchet wrenches. There are hand-powered air compressors, but most are powered by either electricity or natural gas. Natural gas air compressors usually are more cost effective. Depending on the type of Air Compressor, operation costs can be high, as in the case of plant maintenance.

Another way to group Air Compressors is by the number of stages they have. A two-stage Air Compressor usually is used for heavy-duty use and offers a higher level of compression than smaller, single-stage Air Compressors. Two-stage Air Compressors can store air for future use and are more energy efficient because they produce more air per unit of horsepower than single-stage Compressors. Also, less heat is generated in a two-stage Compressor, which means that wear on the unit is reduced. Portable electric Air Compressors also are available for light-duty applications.

HALF PRICE, TO CLEAR:

Used Atlas Copco Model ZT290 Oil Free Screw Type Air Compressor - Stock Number: L0861

Was £7,000 GBP – Now £3,500 GBP, Sale or Return.

Our high quality Air Compressor is now on sale at half price. This piece of equipment comes with a full Engineer Report, full service history and is fully maintained. Rated 202 l/s (428 cfm) free air delivery at 2.45 bar (35 psi) interstage pressure and 8 bar (116 psi) maximum pressure. Unit is powered by a 90kw motor that has a maximum speed of 3000 rpm.

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Air Compressors at Perry Process Equipment Ltd:

Perry Process Equipment Ltd are the largest stockists of used Air Compressors for use in the chemical, pharmaceutical and food industries and can save you up to 70% when compared to the cost of a new unit. We have been buying and selling used equipment for over 80 years, so you can trust our expertise. You can find a wide range of high quality Air Compressors at our Newton Aycliffe site.

View our full inventory online or call us now on: +44 (0) 1325 315111.