three basic types of air compressors

The three basic types of air compressors are

The three basic types of air compressors are

1.    reciprocating.

2.    rotary screw.

3.    rotary centrifugal.

These types are further specified by:

1.    the number of compression stages.

2.    cooling method (air, water, oil).

3.    drive method (motor, engine, steam, other).

4.    lubrication (oil, Oil-Free where Oil Free means no lubricating oil contacts the compressed air).

5.    packaged or custom-built.

Reciprocating Air Compressors

Reciprocating air compressors are positive displacement machines, meaning that they increase the pressure of the air by reducing its volume. This means they are taking in successive volumes of air which is confined within a closed space and elevating this air to a higher pressure. The reciprocating air compressor accomplishes this by a piston within a cylinder as the compressing and displacing element.