How air compressors work
First, the working principle of the piston compressor
The piston compressor was one of the first compressor designs, but it is still the most versatile and very efficient type of compressor. Piston compressors move the piston forward in the cylinder through the connecting rod and crankshaft. If only one side of the piston is used for compression, it is called single-acting. If both upper and lower sides of the piston are used, it is called double-acting.
Piston compressors are very versatile. It can compress air as well as gas with very little modification. Piston compressors are the only design capable of compressing air and gases to high pressures suitable for applications such as breathing air compressors. Reciprocating compressor configurations can range from single-cylinder configurations for low pressure/small capacity applications, to multi-stage configurations capable of compressing to very high pressures. In a multi-stage compressor, air is compressed in stages, increasing the pressure in stages. Compression Capacity: The range of reciprocating compressors ranges from 0.75 kW to 420 kW (1hp to 563hp) and produces working pressures from 1.5 bar to 414 bar (21 to 6004psi). Typical uses are: Gas compression (CNG, nitrogen, inert gas, landfill gas) High pressure air (breathing air for scuba cylinders, seismic surveys, pneumatic circuits, etc.) PET blowing, engine starting, industry.
