Atlas Copco Mexicana

Fundamentos de Aire Comprimido Parte 2

Basic Compressor Types

Basic Compressor Types

Basic Compressor Types

Positive Displacement

Reciprocating
Rotary Screw
Rotary Lobe
Scroll

Dynamic

Radial--Centrifugal

Basic Compressor Types

Positive

Displacement Type

Positive-Displacement
units are those in which
successive volumes of gas
are confined within a
closed space and elevated
to a higher pressure.

Basic Compressor Types

Positive Displacement
Reciprocating compressors

Piston units developing pressure

through the action of a piston moving in
a cylinder
May be single or double acting
When air is compressed from
atmosphere and compressed in a single
stroke, it is said to be single acting.
Double acting compresses on the up
stroke and down stroke
May be single-stage, two-stage, or
multiple-stage, air or water-cooled.

Basic Compressor Types

Positive Displacement Reciprocating

Single Acting
Double Acting

Basic Compressor Types

Positive Displacement
Oil Flooded Rotary Screw

Two intermeshing rotors, male and

female perfectly matched
Male generally drives female rotor
Oil is injected into the compression
chamber for lubrication, cooling and
sealing

Basic Compressor Types

Positive Displacement
Oil Free Rotary Screw

Intermeshing rotors with timing gears

to prevent rotor contact
No need for lubrication in the
compression chamber
Lubrication is required for bearings
and timing gears only

Basic Compressor Types

Rotary Screw compression process--traps consecutive quantities of gas
between the male lobe and female flute. As screw turns, the enclosed volume
decreases, thus increasing the pressure. Compressed air is then pushed out of the
element at the discharge port.

Basic Compressor Types

As the rotors revolve, the air

inlet is sealed off
The rotary motion produces a
smooth compression, until each
section reaches the beginning of
the outlet port
The compressed air then flows
smoothly out of the element

Basic Compressor Types

Airend Design
Optimum tip speeds

20 to 30 m/sec
Oil Injected

85 m/sec
Oil Free

25

85

Basic Compressor Types

Positive Displacement
Oil Free Rotary Lobe

Two intermeshing lobes with timing

gears to prevent rotor contact
The right side/left side intake and
discharge design helps eliminate
axial loads

Basic Compressor Types

Suction

Compression starts

Outlet port
Intake air
Compressed air

In and outlet ports closed off

Volume is reduced, pressure increases

Delivery

Inlet port

Air at inlet pressure enters the compression chamber

Outlet ports sealed off by female rotor

Female rotor uncovers outlet ports and compressed air flows out

Basic Compressor Types

Positive Displacement

Oil-free rotary scroll

Basic Compressor Types

Positive Displacement Operating Principle

Definitions and Formulas

Capacity calculations (Positive-Displacement)

Golden rule: FAD, ACFM, and ICFM are fixed volume flow rates
which do not change with respect to atmospheric conditions. In
other words, a given compressor, when operating at rated speed
and discharge pressure will essentially deliver the same volume flow
rate regardless of inlet conditions.

SCFM delivery of an air compressor is calculated from the units

FAD volume flow rate. SCFM delivery will vary, depending on how
the actual atmospheric conditions deviate from the standard
reference set of conditions. In winter, the SCFM delivery of a given
air compressor is greater than during the summer, and vice versa.

Effects on compressor performance

As ambient temperature

decreases, the weight of air in

a given cubic foot (density)
increases.
As ambient temperature
increases, the density of air
decreases.
A positive displacement
compressor will run unloaded
more in the winter than in the
summer, thereby consuming
less power to produce the
same amount of air.

Effects on compressor performance

There can be a 20% difference

in compressor output between
winter & summer.
A compressor must be sized to
handle the worst case
conditionsthat is summer!
This is to ensure that the
compressor can always supply
enough air to meet the
customers demands.

Effects on compressor performance

VARIATIONS IN OUTPUT WITH CHANGES IN

CLIMATIC CONDITIONS
(Positive-Displacement)
Inlet
Temp

R.H.

FAD

ACFM

ICFM

SCFM

Lb/Min

95
50
0

60%
60%
60%

1120
1120
1120

1155
1155
1155

1178
1178
1178

1000
1117
1248

76.37
85.33
95.26

Note: Calculations are based on barometric pressure of 14.5 psiA.

Standard conditions defined as 14.7 psiA, 60 F, 0% R.H.

Effects on compressor performance

Your annual power bill will be based upon the

average intake conditions.
When evaluating positive-displacement versus
centrifugal compressors, you should obtain
performance information at the extreme
conditions (summer & winter), as well as yearround average conditions
A remote intake is often a worthwhile
investment to help maximize your compressor
efficiency and reduce power cost---take
advantage of the coolest air.

Basic Compressor Design

Dynamic

Principle

Centrifugal units are

those in which velocity
(kinetic energy) is
converted into pressure.

Basic Compressor Types

Dynamic
Centrifugal
Are water-cooled, rotary, continuous-flow
machines.
Working principle: Rapidly rotating impellers
accelerates the gas as it passes through.
This kinetic energy is then transformed into
pressure as the air is successfully slowed
downpartially in the impeller(s) and
partially in stationary diffusers blades.

Basic Compressor Types

Principle

SCROLL VOLUTE

IMPELLER

Pressure rise graph

Discharge
pressure

Suction
pressure
DIFFUSER

PRESSURE RISE

Dynamic

Pressure rise
in diffuser

Pressure rise
in impeller

Inlet Impeller Impeller

flange
eye
rim

Diffuser
outlet

Pressure

Centrifugal Compressor
Fundamentals
Surge

Stonewall

Flow

The centrifugal compressor characteristic curve

Centrifugal Compressor
Fundamentals

SURGE
Breakdown of airflow due to high back pressure
(oscillation flow)

STONE WALL (choke)

Maximum flow a compressor can handle
at a given speed

Centrifugal Compressor
Fundamentals
Turndown
capacity

Centrifugal Compressor
Fundamentals
Control modes
Modulating blow-off
for constant pressure
applications

Pressure

control

excess air is blown off to

atmosphere wasting Bhp.

Volume flow

Centrifugal Compressor
Fundamentals
Centrifugal
constant pressure control

100%

102%
100%

82%

Power
Positive Displacement
load/unload control

50%

25%
15%

0%

% of Load

POWER
SAVINGS

75%

100%

Centrifugal Compressor
Fundamentals
Control modes

Auto dual control

mode for fluctuating air
demands

Pressure

most energy saving control

Volume flow

Centrifugal Compressor
Fundamentals
Centrifugal
auto/dual control
86%

100%

105%
102%
100%

Power
Positive Displacement
load/unload control

50%

20%

25%
15%

0%

% of Load

POWER
SAVINGS

75%

100%

Effects on Compressor Performance

Centrifugal Compressors

Inlet pressure

Inlet air temperature

Cooling water temperature

Effects on Compressor Performance

Inlet pressure
Discharge
Pressure % 100

Power at
Coupling % 100

Decrease in inlet pressure

reduces flow

Decrease in inlet pressure

reduces power required

Inlet flow (weight/volume) percent 100

Effects on Compressor Performance

Inlet air temperature
influence
e

Design point

Power at
Coupling
%

e lin
Sur
g

Discharge
Pressure % 100

Decrease in air temperature

increases flow
Increase in air temperature
reduces flow
Decrease in air temperature
increases power

100

Increase in air temperature

reduces power

Inlet flow (weight/volume) %

100

Effects on Compressor Performance

Cooling water
temperature
Su
rge
line

Discharge
Pressure % 100

Colder water
increases flow
Warmer water
decreases flow

Power at
Coupling % 100

Colder water increases

power requirement
Warmer water decreases
power requirement

Inlet flow (weight/volume) %

100

Effects on Compressor Performance

Positive Displacement vs Dynamic
Changes in Performance From Summertime Performance*
Inlet Temp.

95

50

flow (scfm)

100%

+12.8%

+25%

power

100%

+3.0%

+6.5%

flow (scfm)

100%

+14.3%

+32.2%

power

100%

+10.7%

+27.1%

PD

Dyn

*Based on multistage watercooled compressors

Nuestro compromiso es contribuir

a mejorar su productividad a travs
de la interaccin e innovacin