The two main classification of Air Compressor are:
01) Positive Displacement Type
02) Dynamic Type.
You will find details of each type from below description.
01) Positive Displacement Type Air Compressor.
Positive displacement types compressor are those, who mechanically displace a fixed volume of air into a reduced volume. The constant volume can be delivered by compressor when operated at fixed speed. The discharge pressure is determined by the system load conditions. If the consumption of air is more, then discharge pressure falls below the cut-off pressure & compressor works on load condition.
This types of Air Compressor further classified as
A) Reciprocating Air Compressor.
In this type, compressed air is generated by to & fro movement of piston inside the cylinder(compression chamber). Each movement compresses a fixed quantity of free air at a specific pressure. Single stage, double stage or multiple stage and single acting or double acting is the further classification of Reciprocating Air Compressor. A Vertical type Air Compressor is use for the application of compressed air ranging in between 50 to 150 c. f. m and the Horizontal balance type is most suitable for application ranging from 200 to 5000 c. f. m.
B) Rotary Air Compressor.
In this type, air is compressed by two rotating or inter meshing rotors. According to the type of construction Rotary Compressor can be further classified as (a) Rotary Screw Compressor (b) Rotary Vane compressor.
(a) Rotary Screw Compressor.
Air is compressed between two rotating screw (male & female screw) and casing. The compression took place in gradually reducing space between these two parts.
(b) Rotary Vane compressor.
Air is compressed between casing & rotating rotor by