See the Various Air Compressor Types Before Purchase

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Air Compressors are in use today in every facet of industry, occupation, and all kinds of home uses. Some of the uses for air compressors that we don't pay much attention to include in the...

• Automobile Industry

• Refrigeration Industry

• And Jet Airplanes

In the auto industry compressors of course are used in the air conditioning systems. Even in your home air conditioning system there is a compressor that makes it operate to cool your home down. By use of compressing the coolant which cools the air as its pushed into and through the vents in your home.




In the refrigeration industry air compressors are used the similar way to compress the coolant. Which in turn allows your food to be kept at temperatures around 40 degrees. And your frozen foods at or below 32 degrees freezing.

In jet engines of the Air Travel industry, air compressors are used to compress the air that comes into the jet turbine and then its mixed with fuel and burned at high temperatures to produce the thrust needed to keep the airplane afloat. And we like the sound of that, especially if we're flying in it! Thats one sound you never get tired of hearing when your flying in a jet.

In this article I want to explore the various air compressor types. This will help you in your determination of what type of air compressor to purchase if your looking at them to buy one for your home or work.

There are two types of air compressors that are used in all of the afore mentioned industries as well as home, and all other industries. Of the two types we will talk about just a few of them. So as, not to make this article to long and drawn out. As there are many compressors.

Air Compressors have been around for about 100 years now. And their uses have exploded. The 2 operating types of compressors are...

• Positive Displacement Compressors

• Negative Displacement Compressors

The Positive Displacement Ones

The positive displacement compressors fall in three categories. They are..

• Rotary Screw

• Vane

• And Reciprocating

These types of air compressors are found in small and medium sized industries as well as home used ones.

Rotary Screw Compressors: These compressors work commonly by two rotors which are meshed together. They trap air and compress it along the rotors. They are manufactured in both lubricated and oil-free types. They have an advantage over reciprocating air compressors in that they can be operated continuously at full load.

Reciprocating Compressors: These are used in a continuous start and stop mode. Rotary Screw compressors are usually quieter and the air produced is dryer. But it may not be the best choice.

Reciprocating air compressors are smaller as far as horsepower. Driven by an electric motor. And are most often used to feed building systems with air. This is the same type air compressor that I reviewed here on the site.(Makita MAC700) You can read the review here for it.

Vane Compressors: These are less efficient than reciprocating compressors and also are smaller than the rotary screw compressors. They are usually used where floor space is at a minimum.

The Negative Displacement Compressors

The negative displacement compressors fall into 2 categories. They are...

• Centrifugal Flow

• And Axial

Centrifugal Compressors: These compressors have fewer parts that rub together than their reciprocating brothers. Resulting in less maintenance, but giving higher airflow, as well as being more energy efficient. But they need several stages to reach the higher compression ratios and thats a drawback to them.

The best uses for these compressors are ones that require high volume with little pressure increase. These are industry air compressors that are used in oil production and jet aircraft powered by gas turbine engines.

Axial Compressors: These have turning foils powered by a turbine that work together to both guide and increase pressure of airflow. These are another type compressor for the jet engine industry.

The Wrap Up

Those are some of the various air compressor types. All air compressors in use today fall into one of these 2 types, positive or negative displacement. Depending on your need this article should help you to make an informed decision when you decide to purchase one for your endeavor or projects.

Air Compressors whether they be the smallest ones to the largest ones all have many varied uses for us. This is an invaluable tool. Never a wasted investment, everyone should own an air compressor.

Thanks for coming by...

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