What is an air compressors ,types,working and applications ?

  What is an air compressor ?

Air compressor is a device which takes air  in or gas in during suction stroke at low pressure and then compresses it to high pressure .

For compression external work must be supplied to the compressor .compressed air or gas can be stored in a storage tank or receiver

Classification of reciprocating air compressor is as follows 

1.on the basis of number on cylinders

A.Single stage air compressor 

B.Multi stage air compressors

2. On the basis of capacity

A. Low capacity compressor B.Medium ke Prati compressor C.High capacity compressors

3. on the basis of process 

A.single acting air compressor B.double acting air compressor 

4.on the basis of cooling used:

A.Air cooled compressors

B. Water cooled compressors

5. On the basis of power source used :

A.Electric motor driven compressor 

2.steam engine driven compressors 

3.IC engine driven compressors 4.turbine driven compressors

Functional difference between single acting and double acting air compressor

In a single acting air compressor the suction, compression and delivery of air takes place on one side of the Piston .Such compressors are having one delivery stroke  per revolution of the crankshaft.

Double acting reciprocating air compressor the suction compression and delivery of the air take place both sides of the Piston .Such compressors  would have two delivery strokes per revolution of the crankshaft.

Working of a single acting air reciprocating air compressor

Single acting air compressor looks like a I.C.engine, having one cylinder ,Piston ,inlet and outlet valve. the construction of a single acting reciprocating air compressor is shown in the figure

When Piston moves in the downward direction ,the pressure inside the cylinder Falls below the atmospheric pressure and inlet valve opens air is drawn into the cylinder until Piston reach to the bottom dead centre position .as the Piston starts moving in the upwards direction inlet valve closes and the air inside the cylinder is compressed until the pressure becomes greater than delivery pressure .then the delivery valve gets open and the air goes to Storage tank or receiver .at the end of delivery stroke small volume of high pressure air remains in the clearance volume .as the next suction stroke takes place this high pressure air expand until the pressure Falls below the atmospheric pressure .again inlet valve opens and fresh air is drawn into the cylinder.

Applications of air compressor

1  .in the Coal Mines where the use of electric motor or IC engines are prohibited due to the possibility of fire air compressors are used for driving machines drilling Rig

2.for proper combustion of fuel in the furniture compressed air is required which is supplied by the compressor .

3.compressors are used in spray painting .

4.pneumatic hammer, pneumatic lift ,Pneumatic Brakes are operated by compressed air.

5 in gas turbine power plant compressed air is necessary for combustion of fuel in the combustion chamber

You can also read

https://prakashtechmech.blogspot.com/2020/08/babcock-wilcox-water-tube-boiler.html

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