Reciprocating compressor

A reciprocating compressor or piston compressor is a positive-displacement compressor that uses pistons driven by a crankshaft^{[1] [2]} to deliver gases at high pressure.

The intake gas enters the suction manifold, then flows into the compression cylinder where it gets compressed by a piston driven in a reciprocating motion via a crankshaft, and is then discharged. We can categorize reciprocating compressors into many types and for many applications. Primarily, it is used in a great many industries, including oil refineries, gas pipelines, chemical plants, natural gas processing plants and refrigeration plants. One specialty application is the blowing of plastic bottles made of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)

See also

• Centrifugal compressor
• Vapor-compression refrigeration
• Diving air compressor

References

1. ^ Bloch, H.P. and Hoefner, J.J. (1996). Reciprocating Compressors, Operation and Maintenance. Gulf Professional Publishing. ISBN 0-88415-525-0.
2. ^ Reciprocating Compressor Basics Adam Davis, Noria Corporation, Machinery Lubrication, July 2005

Calculation of required cylinder compression for a multistage reciprocating compressor

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reciprocating_compressor