A gas compressor is a mechanical device that increases the pressure of a gas by reducing its volume. Compression of a gas naturally increases its temperature.
Compressors are closely related to pumps: both increase the pressure on a fluid and both can transport the fluid through a pipe. As gases are compressible, the compressor also reduces the volume of a gas, whereas the main result of a pump raising the pressure of a liquid is to allow the liquid to be transported elsewhere.
* in pressurised aircraft to provide a breathable atmosphere of higher
than ambient pressure
* in jet engines to provide the great mass of operating fluid and, at high
altitudes, a high enough concentration of oxygen for combustion of the air
and fuel mixture. The power to turn the compressor comes from the jet's own
turbines.
* in medicine and manufacturing to store purified or manufactured gases in
a small volume
* as a medium for transferring energy, such as to power pneumatic equipment
* in refrigeration and air conditioner equipment to move heat from one place
to another in refrigerant cycles: see heat pump.
* in pipeline transport of domestic gas to move the gas from the production
site to the consumer
* in SCUBA diving, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and other life support devices
to store breathing gas in a small volume such as in diving cylinders
* in submarines to store gas for later use as buoyancy
* in turbochargers and superchargers to increase the performance of internal
combustion engines by concentrating oxygen
* at vehicle service stations for providing compressed air for filling pneumatic
tires
Charles' law says "when a gas is compressed temperature is raised".
There are three possible relationships between temperature and pressure in a gas undergoing compression:
* isothermal - gas at final stage of compression is same temperature
as at beginning of compression. In this cycle, heat is removed at the
same rate as it is added by the work of compression. This is impractical
for a working machine.
* adiabatic - This assumes that there is no heat transfer, into or out of the
process, and that all work added is expended in creating a pressure rise. Theoretical
temperature rise is T2 = T1·Rc((K-1)/K)), with T1 and T2 in degrees
Rankine or kelvins, and K = ratio of specific heats (approximately 1.4 for
air). The rise in air and temperature ratio means compression does not follow
a simple pressure to volume ratio. This is less efficient, but quick.
* Polytropic - This assumes that heat may enter or leave the process, and that
work added can appear as both increased pressure (useful work) and increased
temperature above adiabatic (losses due to cycle efficiency). Cycle efficiency
is then the ratio of temperature rise at theoretic 100 percent (adiabatic)
vs. actual (polytropic).
Since compression generates heat, the compressed air is to be cooled between stages making the compression less adiabatic and more isothermal. The inter-stage coolers cause condensation meaning water separators with drain valves are present. The compressor flywheel may drive a cooling fan.
For instance in a typical diving compressor, the air is compressed in three stages. If each stage has a compression ratio of 7 to 1, the compressor can output 343 times atmospheric pressure (7 x 7 x 7 = 343).
There are many options for the "prime mover" or motor which powers the compressor:
* gas turbines power the axial and centrifugal flow compressors that
are part of jet engines
* steam turbines or water turbines are possible for large compressors
* electric motors are cheap and quiet for static compressors. Small motors
suitable for domestic electrical supplies use single phase alternating current.
Larger motors can only be used where an industrial electrical three phase alternating
current supply is available.
* diesel engines or petrol engines are suitable for portable compressors and
support compressors used as superchargers from their own crankshaft power.
They use exhaust gas energy to power turbochargers
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