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Positive Displacement Compressors

Introduction to Air Compressors
Air Compressor Principals
Air Compressor Types (1.5 to 100 horsepower)
Positive Displacement Compressors
Reciprocating Compressors
Single Acting
Double Acting
Reciprocating Compressor Capacity Controls
Rotary Screw Compressors
Oil Lubricated Rotary Screw Compressor
Oil Lubricated Rotary Screw Capacity Controls
Rotary Compressor Lubricants
Oil-Free Rotary Screw Compressor
Oil-Free Rotary Screw Controls
Motors and Motor Control for Air Compressors
Air Compressor Installation and Maintenance
Compressed Air Purification

As shown in figure PD-1, positive displacement compressors increase the pressure of a given quantity of air by reducing the space occupied by the air at the original pressure.

Atmospheric air (fig. PD-1.1) is drawn through the intake filter and intake valve into the one (1) cubic foot cylinder by the movement of the piston towards the bottom of the cylinder. When the piston is at its lowest point in the cylinder (BDC), one cubic foot of air at atmospheric pressure (14.7 psia) is contained within the cylinder. As the piston begins to move upwards (fig. PD-1.2) into the cylinder, the piston begins to increase the pressure of the air and closes the intake valve. The piston continues to move thereby reducing the volume of the cylinder. When the piston is at its' highest position top dead center (TDC), the volume of the cylinder has been reduced and the air pressure has been increased.

As shown in figure ACT1.1, positive-displacement compressors are available in two basic styles, reciprocating and rotary. Each of these basic styles is then further segmented by different technologies.

Reciprocating Compressors

Reciprocating compressors were the first of the modern air compressor designs. Reciprocating compressors utilize a piston moving within a cylinder to compress low-pressure air to high pressure. They are available in single-acting and double-acting configurations. Each of these configurations utilizes a variety of cylinder layouts as shown in figure RC-1.1.

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Positive Displacement Compressors

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Reciprocating Compressors