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Reciprocating Air Compressors: The Basics

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Reciprocating Air Compressors: The Basics

What is a Reciprocating Air Compressor?

A reciprocating air compressor is an air compressor that operates on the positive displacement principle using a reciprocating piston. In a positive displacement air compressor, gas is introduced to a particular chamber and then the area of the chamber is decreased, which causes the gas to become compressed. In a reciprocating air compressor, this is achieved with a piston performing a reciprocating motion. 


Parts of a Reciprocating Air Compressor

  1. Cylinder: The cylinder is the chamber where the air is compressed.
  2. Piston: The piston performs a reciprocating motion inside the cylinder; it is responsible for decreasing the area in the cylinder and causing compression. 
  3. Crankshaft: The crankshaft is connected to an electric motor that provides power, allowing it to rotate. It is connected to the piston (via a connection rod). The crankshaft is the mechanism that causes the piston to perform its rotary motion. 
  4. Connection Rod: As previously mentioned, the connection rod connects the piston to the crankshaft. 
  5. Suction Valve: Air is sucked into the reciprocating air compressor through the suction valve. 
  6. Discharge Valve: Compressed air is released into a holding tank through the discharge valve. 


How a Reciprocating Air Compressor Works

The reciprocating air compressor is turned on, and the crankshaft begins to rotate. This causes the piston to begin moving as well. As the piston moves downward, towards the bottom of the chamber, air is sucked into the chamber of the cylinder via the suction valve. 


After reaching the bottom of the chamber, the piston begins to ascend. The area of the chamber that is now filled with air decreases. Consequently, the pressure increases, and the air is compressed. When the pressure inside the chamber exceeds the pressure of the discharge valve, the discharge valve opens, and the compressed air is released into a storage tank.



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