Compressed air is a great source of energy in wide-ranging industrial operations and is used for powering tools like impactors, drills, and other equipment. Air compressors, therefore, act as engines to create and supply this powerful driving force. Compressors are prone to falling into disrepair, especially due to impure, humid, or hot air, and therefore require regular maintenance, care, and protection to ensure optimum level performance.
Different types of air compressors are used in the industry, each with unique designs and operation specifics. So, you must understand the difference between all of these air compressors. Buying the right type of compressor from a reputable company ensures a longer lifespan and higher returns on your investment. In this blog, we shall take a look at the most common types of air compressors in use today.
Reciprocating Air Compressor
A Reciprocating Air Compressor, also known as a Piston Compressor uses one or more pistons to compress the air which enters it through a system of valves. The compressed air then flows into the holding tank. This is one of the most widely used types of industrial air compressors and finds application in areas like chemical processing, gas transmission, and hydrocarbon refining.
Screw Air Compressor
Screw Air Compressors make use of two closely meshing helical screws to compress air. Once the air enters into the chamber, the helical screws are turned to push it down into an extremely constricted space, which increases its pressure manifold. These compressors are mostly used in refrigerators and automated manufacturing systems. In the construction sector, these are used to provide compressed air to jackhammers, riveting tools, pneumatic pumps, sandblasting operations, and industrial paint systems.
Centrifugal Air Compressor
A centrifugal compressor makes use of a fast-rotating impeller and radial blades which create centrifugal force to suck the air in. These days, centrifugal compressors have high-speed electric motors to drive the impellers and create powerful centrifugal force. These compressors are used in gas turbines, automobile turbochargers and superchargers, oil refineries, natural gas processing, air-conditioning, and HVAC systems.
Oil-Free Scroll Compressor
Air compressors have a number of moving parts which create friction and wear and tear, leading to early degradation of the compressor. As such, oil lubrication is a must for air compressors. However, frequent oil lubrication can be burdensome and may not be suitable in operations where cleanliness is of utmost importance. Oil-free scroll compressors can come in handy in such situations. These use the rotary movement of scrolls to compress air into a very small space and pass it through the air outlet located at the centre of the scroll.
For assistance to decide on the air compressor that suits your needs the best, feel free to contact us on +919819907445. We would be happy to assist you in finding the best match based on your requirements. As one of the leading ELGi air compressor dealers, VEMC provides seamless services to its clients. VEMC is ISO 9001:2015 certified and is a pioneer in the field of electromechanical engineering products, allied equipment, and services.