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Sounds like the intro to a bad rock song to me. :-)
What’s the difference between the various types of compressors available on the market today?
And, which style of compressor will be right for your application?
Compressor Types
Some of the compressor types you will run into in the marketplace are:
Links to more information about these various compressors are below.
Difference Between Little & Big Compressors
Just what are the differences between the miniature 12 VDC mini-piston reciprocating type compressor you can purchase at your local tire store and a 40 HP rotary screw compressor?
One of these two air compressors will over deliver substantially if all you need a compressor for is to blow up a basketball, a bicycle tire, or perhaps an air mattress. The discharge rate of a 40 HP compressor would quickly over inflate these items with unfortunate results.
The 12 Volt compressor, plugged into the power outlet in your automobile, would not be the logical choice to provide air to your shop air tools, for example.
The Important Difference
So other than the obvious differences in appearance and size, the really important difference to the compressed air user is the differing capacity of these two compressors, and all compressors for that matter. The capacity; the compressor's ability to deliver compressed air at a certain CFM and a certain air pressure at that specific CFM of flow.
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If you tried to use this type of air compressor for a high-demand application, the compressor could never catch up (compressed air outflow would always exceed the compressor's ability to compress it) and it would never reach cut out pressure to allow it to shut down.
Since these small compressors have a limited duty cycle it would run at full capacity trying to supply enough air for a high-demand application until it self-destructed.
Capacity
Compressor capacity is critical to your compressor selection.
All compressors do essentially the same things. They “gather’ free air, and compress it up to the pressure limit that is specified by the unit.
Therefore, you’ll select the type of compressor that delivers the capacity you need, both in terms of pressure and the flow of compressed air at the pressure your application requires.
Reciprocating Compressors
Reciprocating (piston) air compressors are the 'work-horse' compressors with which you'll likely be most familiar.
You'll see them at the corner garage, on the shelves at the hardware stores, in residential garages, many home basements, darn near everywhere, and their uses are numerous too. Careful though. Reciprocating compressors often have the lowest up-front cost, but the highest operating cost! If you're planning on using a lot of air in your shop or in your home, a different style of compressor may give you better value over the long haul.
Here's a link to more information on the reciprocating type air compressors.
Vane Compressors
Vane compressors use "air-tool" type technology to compress air. These compressors are used in a variety of applications. See information on vane compressors through this link.
Rotary Screw Compressors
The Rotary Screw compressor manufacturers state that their technology is the right choice for many industrial applications. Get more information on Rotary Screw Compressors by seeing this page on rotary screw compressors..
Portable Air Compressors
Many times you'll need compressed air at a site where there aren't any air mains, and where the common plant electrical supply is not available to run the compressor motor. That being the case, you'll want to look at this page, that details information about portable air compressors.
Air Brush Compressors
Hobbyists or professional air-brush artists, please check out this link for information about air brush compressors .
Home Made Compressors
For the adventurous do-it-yourselfer, how about a home made air compressor?
Did you know that...
Source: Compressed Air Systems Fact Sheet 11, Office of Industrial Technologies, Department of Energy
From Rotary Vane Reciprocating Screw back to home page.
