Air Compressors – Learning the Different Types

Air compressors are the most common but misleading tools used in the mainstream. Air compressors are available in a variety of styles that are used for specific applications, and knowing the best compressor type for a given situation can affect productivity, cost and safety.

Air compressors fall into three basic categories: continuous running models, piston driven models and rotary screw models. Centrifugal air compressors are available, but they rarely occur except in large industrial applications involving mass production. While these three major types of compressors dominate the market and have accessories that extend their capabilities or limit their applications, this model includes most applications for home, business, and industrial applications that require air compression I will.

Continuous Operation Compressor

Continuous operation compressors, also called compact compressors, supply the compressed air required for continuous operation of the compression device. This type of compressor essentially reduces the size of the hose or nozzle and uses forced air to shrink the air hose, which increases the pressure before the air escapes. It is often used to inflate items with tires, air mattresses, and other inflationary requirements.

Piston-Driven Compressor

Piston-driven compressors are quite different from compact compressors in that they have the ability to store compressors as well as compress air. Compressed air can be supplied stably without operating the compressor non-stop. As the air in the storage tank is depleted, the compressor operates and replenishes.

Piston compressors are some of the most common types found in car stores, residential garages and many workshops. It is available in one- or two-stage variants and the two-stage model compresses air to higher pressures. These are the most versatile and useful compressors, mainly due to their relatively small size and portability.

Rotary Screw Compressor

Rotary screw compressors are mainly used in full-scale industrial fields such as manufacturing and assembly plants. Rotary screw compressors are very similar to piston driven compressors, but instead of using cylinders and pistons, they use a large screw to compress the air and push it into the storage tank. This type of compressor is available in single- or dual-step variants, allowing much higher pressure output than most other types.

Special Considerations

The type of compressor often defines a practical role, but there are some aspects to consider when an industrial or commercial application becomes a problem. Many special applications, such as electronics manufacturing, require a pure air supply. Air compressors that use oil for internal lubrication of pistons or screws can not be used because they are known for their oil leaks in air tanks and lines in these situations.

There are a number of special considerations for air compressors that may need to be addressed for a given application, and once you are familiar with the types of compressors, these considerations can be handled and handled efficiently.