Compressor Introduction

A compressor is a machine that compresses the gas and increases its pressure at the same time. It is widely used. Common application fields include compressed refrigerant (such as refrigerators, and HVAC, the principle is a heat pump and refrigeration cycle), compressed air (such as Air compressor), compressed gas to provide compressed gas as industrial driving power, such as silicon chemical industry, petrochemical industry, natural gas transportation, etc.

According to its operating principle, it can be divided into positive displacement compressor and gas dynamic compressor

A positive displacement compressor introduces gas into a closed space and increases the internal pressure by compressing the volume of the space where the original gas is distributed and converting mechanical energy into pressure energy. According to the different compression methods, it can be divided into reciprocating and rotary gas-powered compressors, which use the high-speed rotation of the impeller to force the gas to flow at high speed to generate kinetic energy. The increase in the cross-sectional area causes the air flow rate to decrease so that the kinetic energy of the gas is converted into pressure energy and the pressure rises. At present, this type of compressor has a centrifugal type, axial flow type, and so on.

According to the lubrication method, it can be divided into an oil-free compressor and an oil-lubricated compressor. According to the performance, it can be divided into low noise, variable frequency, and explosion-proof. According to the performance, it can be divided into fixed type, mobile type, and closed type.

How to Choose An Industrial Air Compressor?

Choosing the right air compressor requires selecting a compressor parts store, and then you need to determine the frequency of use based on the compressed air requirements of your application.

You also need to know if the compressor can be shipped, or if it will be installed in one place. If this is the case, you will need to ensure that the compressor is well-ventilated to ensure optimal cooling.

Another important factor to consider is the continuous run time of the compressor. Manufacturers usually indicate the duty cycle of their products. This duty cycle determines how long the compressor can run in an hour. A compressor with a 30% duty cycle can only run for 18 minutes and has to cool for 42 minutes. If you choose this type of compressor, you need to make sure that 18 minutes of run time is enough to charge the tank to the proper pressure for 1 hour.

Air compressors can be used with different portable air tools such as hammer drills, nail guns, air screwdrivers, circuit breakers, air spray guns, paint sprayers, sandblasters, and more.

Stationary or portable air compressors can also play an important role in industry or agriculture, for example: using air tools on production lines, ejecting parts from molds, blowing the shape of bottles or cans, supplying air cylinders, finishing the surface of metal parts, Sand treatment, crop spraying, greenhouse ventilation, etc.

What Size Compressor Should You Choose?

To size, your compressor, start by knowing the maximum pressure required to supply air to your air tool or circuit. Expressed in pounds per square inch (psi), bar, or pascal (Pa). Depending on the pressure, you may need a single-stage compressor (up to 135psi or 9 bar) or a multi-stage compressor that can significantly increase pressure (up to 5800psi or 400 bar).

You also need to know the maximum flow required. Flow is the amount of air used to supply the various devices on the compressor that need to be connected together. Expressed in cubic feet per minute (cfm), liters per second (l/s), or cubic meters per hour (m3/h). It is best to provide a margin of safety of about 30%, both to avoid accidents and without oversizing the compressor.

The power of the compressor depends on the required airflow and output pressure. When the compressor power is high, but the flow rate is low, it can only be used occasionally, and its cooling requires long breaks.

Compressors usually include a tank of compressed air, and you can adjust the starting of the engine based on how much-compressed air you need. You need to calibrate this air tank properly so the engine doesn't run continuously. Some compressors come with a vertical air tank, which can take up less space when they must be installed in tight areas.