Reciprocating Compressor

Positive displacement compressors have pressure ranges up to 30,000 psi and range
from very low HP to more than 20,000 HP per unit.

From: Transmission Pipeline Calculations and Simulations Manual, 2015

Related terms:

Screw Compressor, Centrifugal Compressors, Compressors, Diaphragms, Pistons,

Reciprocating Compressors, Rotors, Scroll Compressors

View all Topics

Compressor Stations
E. Shashi Menon, in Transmission Pipeline Calculations and Simulations Manual,
2015

11 Types of Compressors: Centrifugal and Positive Displace-

ment
Compressors used in natural gas transportation system are either positive dis-
placement type or centrifugal type. Positive displacement compressors generate
the pressure required by trapping a certain volume of gas within the compressor
and increasing the pressure by reduction of volume. The high-pressure gas is then
released through the discharge valve into the pipeline. Piston-operated reciprocating
compressors fall within the category of positive displacement compressors. These
compressors have a fixed volume and are able to produce high compression ratios.
Centrifugal compressors, on the other hand, develop the pressure required by the
centrifugal force resulting from rotation of the compressor wheel that translates the
kinetic energy into pressure energy of the gas. Centrifugal compressors are more
commonly used in gas transmission systems because of their flexibility. Centrifugal
compressors have lower capital cost and lower maintenance expenses. They can
handle larger volumes within a small area compared with positive displacement
compressors. They also operate at high speeds and are of balanced construction.
However, centrifugal compressors have less efficiency than positive displacement
compressors.

Positive displacement compressors have flexibility in pressure range, have higher

efficiency, and can deliver compressed gas at wide range of pressures. They
are also not very sensitive to the composition of the gas. Positive displacement
compressors have pressure ranges up to 30,000 psi and range from very low HP
to more than 20,000 HP per unit. Positive displacement compressors may be single
stage or multistage depending on the compression ratio required. The compression
ratio per stage for positive displacement compressors is limited to 4.0 because
a higher ratio causes a higher discharge pressure, which affects the valve life of
positive displacement compressors. Heat exchangers are used between stages of
compression so that the compressed heated gas is cooled to the original suction
temperature before being compressed in the next stage. The HP required in a
positive displacement compressor is usually estimated from charts provided by the
compressor manufacturer. The following equation may be used for large, slow-speed
compressors with compression ratios >2.5 and for gas specific gravity of 0.65.

(10.26)

where

BHP: brake horsepower

r: compression ratio per stage
N: number of stages
Q: gas flow rate, MMSCFD at suction temperature and 14.4 psia
F: factor that depends on the number of compression stages; 1.0 for sin-
gle-stage compression, 1.08 for two stage compression, 1.10 for three stage
compression

In Eqn (10.26) the constant 22 is changed to 20 when gas gravity is between 0.8 and
1.0. Also, for compression ratios between 1.5 and 2.0, the constant 22 is replaced
with a number between 16 and 18.

Problem 10.10
Calculate the BHP required to compress a 5-MMSCFD gas at 14.4 psia and 70 °F,
with an overall compression ratio of 7 considering two-stage compression.

Solution
Considering two identical stages, the compression ratio per stage = .

Using Eqn (10.26), we get

Centrifugal compressors may be a single-wheel or single-stage compressor or
multiwheel or multistage compressor. Single-stage centrifugal compressors have
a volume range of 100–150,000 ft3/min at actual conditions (actual cubic feet per
minute [ACFM]). Multistage centrifugal compressors handle a volume range of
500–200,000 ACFM. The operational speeds of centrifugal compressors range from
3000 to 20,000 rpm. The upper limit of speed will be limited by the wheel-tip speed
and stresses induced in the impeller. Advances in technology have produced com-
pressor wheels operating at speeds in excess of 30,000 rpm. Centrifugal compressors
are driven by electric motors, steam turbines, or gas turbines. Sometimes, speed
increasers are used to increase the speeds necessary to generate the pressure.

> Read full chapter

Energy efficiency in compressed air,

ventilation, and lighting
Patrik Thollander, ... Jakob Rosenqvist, in Introduction to Industrial Energy Ef-
ficiency, 2020

9.1.2.1 Piston compressor

The piston compressor, also denoted reciprocating, is a displacement compressor
type which consists of a moving piston which compresses the air. It has high
efficiency both at full and partial loads, but less positive aspects are that it is
noisy and moreover, demands more space than other types of compressors. Also,
due to many moving parts in this type of compressor that may wear out, the cost
of maintenance is higher than for other compressor types. Piston compressors can
come both as oil lubricant free as well as oil lubricant injected compressors.

> Read full chapter

COMPRESSORS
R. Keith Mobley, in Fluid Power Dynamics, 2000

Positive-Displacement Compressors
Positive-displacement compressors use their lubrication system to provide addition-
al functions. The lubrication system must inject sufficient quantities of clean fluid
to provide lubrication for the compressor's internal parts, such as pistons and lobes,
and to provide a positive seal between moving and stationary parts.

The main components of a positive-displacement compressor's lubrication system

consist of an oil pump, filter, and heat exchanger. The crankcase of the compressor
acts as the oil sump. A lockable drain cock is installed at the lowest end of the
crankcase to permit removal of any water accumulation that has resulted from
sweating of the crankcase walls. The oil passes through a strainer into the pump. It
then flows through the heat exchanger, where it is cooled. After the heat exchanger,
the cooled oil flows directly to the moving parts of the compressor before returning
to the crankcase sump. A small portion is diverted to the oil injector, if one is
installed. The oil that is injected into the cylinder seals the space between the cylinder
wall and the piston rings. This prevents compressed air from leaking past the pistons,
and thus improves the compressor's overall efficiency.

> Read full chapter

Air Compressors, Air Treatment and

Pressure Regulation
Andrew Parr MSc, CEng, MIEE, MInstMC, in Hydraulics and Pneumatics (Third
Edition), 2011

Compressor types
Like hydraulic pumps, air compressors can be split into positive displacement
devices (where a fixed volume of air is delivered on each rotation of the compressor
shaft) and dynamic devices such as centrifugal or axial blowers. The vast majority of
air compressors are of the positive displacement type.

A compressor is selected by the pressure it is required to work at and the volume

of gas it is required to deliver. As explained in the previous section, pressure in
the receiver is generally higher than that required at the operating position, with
local pressure regulation being used. Pressure at the compressor outlet (which for
practical purposes will be the same as that in the receiver) is called the working
pressure and is used to specify the compressor. Pressure at the operating point
is called, not surprisingly, the operating pressure and is used to specify valves,
actuators and other operating devices.

Care should be taken in specifying the volume of gas a compressor is required

to deliver. Expression 3.1 shows the volume of a given mass of gas to be highly
dependent on pressure and temperature. Delivery volume of a compressor is defined
in terms of gas at normal atmospheric conditions. Two standards known as standard
temperature and pressure (STP) are commonly used, although differences between
them are small for industrial users.

The technical normal condition is:

and the physical normal condition is:

The term normal temperature and pressure (NTP) is also used.

Required delivery volume of a compressor (in M3 min−1 or ft3 min−1, according

to the units used) may be calculated for the actuators at the various operating
positions (with healthy safety margins to allow for leakage) but care must be taken to
ensure this total volume is converted to STP condition before specifying the required
compressor delivery volume.

A compressor delivery volume can be specified in terms of its theoretical volume

(swept volume multiplied by rotational speed) or effective volume which includes
losses. The ratio of these two volumes is the efficiency. Obviously the effective
volume should be used in choosing a compressor (with, again, a safety margin for
leakage). Required power of the motor driving the compressor is dependent on
working pressure and delivery volume, and may be determined from expressions 2.2
and 2.5. Allowance must be made for the cyclic on/off operation of the compressor
with the motor being sized for on-load operation and not averaged over a period of
time.

Piston compressors
Piston compressors are by far the most common type of compressor, and a basic
single cylinder form is shown in Figure 3.3. As the piston descends during the inlet
stroke (Figure 3.3a), the inlet valve opens and air is drawn into the cylinder. As the
piston passes the bottom of the stroke, the inlet valve closes and the exhaust valve
opens, allowing air to be expelled as the piston rises (Figure 3.3b).
Figure 3.3. Single cylinder compressor

Figure 3.3 implies that the valves are similar to valves in an internal combustion
engine. In practice, spring-loaded valves are used, which open and close under the
action of air pressure across them. One common type uses a ‘feather’ of spring steel
which moves above the inlet or output port, as shown in Figure 3.3c.

A single cylinder compressor gives significant pressure pulses at the outlet port.
This can be overcome to some extent by the use of a large receiver, but more often a
multicylinder compressor is used. These are usually classified as vertical or horizontal
in-line arrangements and the more compact V, Y or W constructions.

A compressor which produces one pulse of air per piston stroke (of which the
example of Figure 3.3 is typical) is called a single-acting compressor. A more even
air supply can be obtained by the double-acting action of the compressor in Figure
3.4, which uses two sets of valves and a crosshead to keep the piston rod square at
all times. Double-acting compressors can be found in all configurations described
earlier.

Figure 3.4. Double-acting compressor

Piston compressors described so far go direct from atmospheric to required pressure

in a single operation. This is known as a single-stage compressor. The general
gas law (expression 1.19) showed compression of a gas to be accompanied by a
significant rise in gas temperature. If the exit pressure is above about 5 bar in a
single-acting compressor, the compressed air temperature can rise to over 200 °C
and the motor power needed to drive the compressor rises accordingly.

For pressures over a few bar it is far more economical to use a multistage compressor
with cooling between stages. Figure 3.5 shows an example. As cooling (undertaken
by a device called an intercooler) reduces the volume of the gas to be compressed
at the second stage there is a large energy saving. Normally two stages are used
for pneumatic pressures of 10–15 bar, but multistage compressors are available for
pressures up to around 50 bar.
Figure 3.5. Two-stage compressor

Multistage compressors can be manufactured with multicylinders as shown in

Figure 3.5 or, more compactly, with a single cylinder and a double diameter piston
as shown in Figure 3.6.

Figure 3.6. Combined two-stage compressor

There is contact between pistons and air, in standard piston compressors, which may
introduce small amounts of lubrication oil from the piston walls into the air.

This very small contamination may be undesirable in food and chemical industries.
Figure 3.7 shows a common way of giving a totally clean supply by incorporating a
flexible diaphragm between piston and air.
Figure 3.7. Diaphragm compressor, used where air must not be contaminated

Screw compressors
Piston compressors are used where high pressures (>20 bar) and relatively low
volumes (<10,000 m3 h−1) are needed, but are mechanically relatively complex with
many moving parts. Many applications require only medium pressure (<10 bar) and
medium flows (around 10,000 m3 h−1). For these applications, rotary compressors
have the advantage of simplicity, with fewer moving parts rotating at a constant
speed, and a steady delivery of air without pressure pulses.

One rotary compressor, known as the dry rotary screw compressor, is shown in
Figure 3.8 and consists of two intermeshing rotating screws with minimal (around
0.05 mm) clearance. As the screws rotate, air is drawn into the housing, trapped
between the screws and carried along to the discharge port, where it is delivered in
a constant pulse-free stream.

Figure 3.8. Dry screw rotary compressor

Screws in this compressor can be synchronized by external timing gears. Alternative-

ly one screw can be driven, the second screw rotated by contact with the drive screw.
This approach requires oil lubrication to be sprayed into the inlet air to reduce fric-
tion between screws, and is consequently known as a wet rotary screw compressor.
Wet screw construction, though, obviously introduces oil contamination into the air
which has to be removed by later oil separation units.
Rotary compressors
The vane compressor, shown in Figure 3.9, operates on similar principles to the
hydraulic vane pump described in Chapter 2, although air compressors tend to be
physically larger than hydraulic pumps. An unbalanced design is shown; balanced
versions can also be constructed. Vanes can be forced out by springs or, more
commonly, by centrifugal force.

Figure 3.9. Vane compressor

A single-stage vane compressor can deliver air at up to 3 bar, a much lower pressure
than that available with a screw or piston compressor. A two-stage vane compressor
with large low-pressure and smaller high-pressure sections linked by an intercooler
allows pressures up to 10 bar to be obtained.

Figure 3.10 shows a variation on the vane compressor called a liquid ring compres-
sor. The device uses many vanes rotating inside an eccentric housing and contains
a liquid (usually water) which is flung out by centrifugal force to form a liquid
ring which follows the contour of the housing to give a seal with no leakage and
minimal friction. Rotational speed must be high (typically 3000 rpm) to create the
ring. Delivery pressures are relatively low at around 5 bar.

Figure 3.10. Liquid ring compressor

The lobe compressor of Figure 3.11 (often called a Roots blower) is often used when
a positive displacement compressor is needed with high delivery volume but low
pressure (typically 1–2 bar). Operating pressure is mainly limited by leakage between
rotors and housing. To operate efficiently, clearances must be very small, and wear
leads to a rapid fall in efficiency.

Figure 3.11. Lobe compressor

Dynamic compressors
A large volume of air (up to 5000 m3 min−1) is often required for applications such as
pneumatic conveying (where powder is carried in an air stream), ventilation or where
air itself is one component of a process (e.g. combustion air for gas/oil burners).
Pressure in these applications is low (at most a few bar) and there is no need for a
positive displacement compressor.

Large-volume low-pressure air is generally provided by dynamic compressors known

as blowers. They can be subdivided into centrifugal or axial types, shown in Figure
3.12. Centrifugal blowers (Figure 3.12a) draw air in then fling it out by centrifugal
force. A high shaft rotational speed is needed and the volume to input power ratio
is lower than any other type of compressor.
Figure 3.12. Non-positive displacement compressors (blowers)

An axial compressor comprises a set of rotating fan blades as shown in Figure 3.12b.
These produce very large volumes of air, but at low pressure (less than one bar). They
are primarily used for ventilation, combustion and process air.

Output pressures of both types of dynamic compressor can be lifted by multistage

compressors with intercoolers between stages. Diffuser sections reduce air entry
velocity to subsequent stages, thereby converting air kinetic energy to pressure
energy.

Positive displacement compressors use oil to lubricate the close machined parts and
to maintain the air seal. Dynamic compressors have no such need, and consequently
deliver very clean air.

> Read full chapter

Compressors
Seán Moran, in Process Plant Layout (Second Edition), 2017

32.4 Types of Compressors

32.4.1 Positive Displacement Compressors

Reciprocating positive displacement compressors include piston and diaphragm
types. A piston compressor compresses air in barrels like the cylinders of a car en-
gine. A diaphragm or membrane compressor uses a moving diaphragm to compress
air.

Rotary positive displacement compressors include rotary screw, scroll, and vane
types. Rotary screw compressors have intermeshed screws, scroll compressors have
intermeshed spiral scrolls, and rotary vane compressors have vanes rotating in a
housing.

Roots blowers are a rotary positive displacement compressor similar to a lobe pump
used for low-pressure applications such as effluent aeration.

32.4.2 Rotodynamic Compressors

Rotodynamic compressors can be axial flow, centrifugal flow, or the intermediate
mixed/diagonal flow types. A rotodynamic compressor has one or more rotating
assemblies, handles large volumes, and can be electrically, steam or gas driven.
Rotodynamic compressors often need to have valve and other systems to control
against “surge,” a sudden flow reversal which can cause destructive vibration.

32.4.3 Fans
Fans are used to transfer high volumes of gases at low pressures, as opposed to the
low volumes at high pressures which compressors provide. They are consequently
used for HVAC applications and similar. They also exist in centrifugal and axial flow
varieties.

> Read full chapter

Oil and Gas Compressor Basics

Kevin Hoopes, ... Rainer Kurz, in Compression Machinery for Oil and Gas, 2019

Overview of Compressor Types

Gas compressors operate by adding work to a gas to increase the pressure of that gas
as it flows through them. They are used in many different applications from everyday
items such as vacuum cleaners, automobiles, and air conditioners to large industrial
scale compressors for chemical processing, jet engine propulsion, and natural gas
processing and transmission. They are separated into two distinct groups: positive
displacement compressors and dynamic compressors.

Positive Displacement Compressors

Positive displacement compressors operate by decreasing the volume of a gas in
a trapped volume. Because they operate on a trapped volume of fluid, positive
displacement machines operate on distinct portions of the fluid at a time; as such
their mechanical behavior, operating speed, etc., is very different than dynamic
machines. Examples of compressors of this type include reciprocating compressors,
screw compressors, and scroll compressors.

Dynamic Compressors
Dynamic compressors operate by continuously increasing the momentum of a
gas as it flows through them and do not rely on a trapped volume. Examples of
compressors of this type include centrifugal (also called radial) compressors, axial
compressors, and mixed flow compressors. The major distinctions between these
categories come from how the fluid enters and exits the machine. In a centrifugal
machine, the fluid flows into the machine parallel to the axis of rotation and out
of the machine radially or perpendicular to the axis of rotation. In axial machines,
the gas enters and exits the machine parallel to the axis of rotation. As their name
suggests, mixed flow machines are a mixture between purely centrifugal and purely
axial machines.

The appropriate type of compressor for a particular application is a function of

the required flow rate and pressure ratio. A chart describing the approximate op-
erating envelopes of different compressor types has been provided by the Natural
Gas Processor Suppliers Association and is shown in Fig. 1.1. Although the exact
capabilities of a particular compressor type may deviate from these conditions based
on a specific design, the general trends are valid. In general, there is significant
overlap between the three compressor types, although reciprocating compressors
uniquely cover low-flow applications with high pressures and centrifugal compres-
sors uniquely cover high-flow applications.

Fig. 1.1. Compressor types and application conditions.Modified from NGPSA En-
gineering Data Book, vol. 1, Revised tenth ed., 1994. Compiled and edited in
cooperation with the Gas Processors Association.Copyright © 1987 Gas Processors
Association.

> Read full chapter

Compressors
G.F. Hundy, ... T.C. Welch, in Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps (Fifth
Edition), 2016
4.4 Valves
Piston compressors may be generally classified by the type of valve, and this depends
on size, since a small swept volume requires a proportionally smaller inlet and outlet
gas port. Small compressors have spring steel reed valves for both inlet and outlet
arranged on a valve plate and the differing pressures kept separated by the cylinder
head (Fig. 4.8). Above a bore of about 80 mm, the port area available within the head
size is insufficient for both inlet and outlet valves, and the inlet is moved to the
piston crown or to an annulus surrounding the head. The outlet or discharge valve
remains in the central part of the cylinder head. In most makes, both types of valve
cover a ring of circular gas ports and so are made in annular form and generally
termed ring plate valves (Fig. 4.9). Ring plate valves are made of thin spring steel
or titanium, limited in lift and damped by light springs to assist even closure and
lessen bouncing.

Figure 4.8. Reed valve plate (Emerson Climate Technologies).

Figure 4.9. Ring plate valves (GEA Refrigeration).

Although intended to handle only dry gas, droplets of liquid refrigerant or oil may
sometimes enter the cylinder and must pass out through the discharge valves. On
large compressors with annular valves, these may be arranged on a spring-loaded
head, which will lift and relieve excessive pressures.
Valve and cylinder head design is very much influenced by the need to keep the
clearance volume to a minimum. A valve design which achieves a small clearance
volume uses a conical discharge valve in the centre of the cylinder head, with
a ring-shaped suction valve surrounding it (Fig. 4.10). The suction gas enters via
passageways within the ‘sandwich’ valve plate. The piston has a small raised spigot
which fits inside the ring-shaped suction valve. When the conical discharge valve
lifts, high-pressure gas passes into the cylinder head. This construction is used in
compressor bores up to 75 mm.

Figure 4.10. Conical discharge valve and sandwich type valve plate (Emerson Climate
Technologies).

> Read full chapter

Dynamic characteristics of rolling pis-

ton machines
Alison Subiantoro, Kim Tiow Ooi, in Positive Displacement Machines, 2019

Discussion
Rolling piston compressors are popular for household/room air conditioning appli-
cations due to its relatively small size and high efficiency as compared to other
compressor mechanisms. In its basic form, it comprises a stationary cylinder with
suction and discharge ports, a vane, a rolling piston (often called rotor or roller)
and a shaft with an eccentric. The arrangement forms two working chambers that
can be exploited for compression applications. Dynamic characteristics of a rolling
piston compressor have been discussed in this chapter. Mathematical formulations
of various aspects of the mechanism are elaborated. The following items summarize
the discussion:

• Geometry—Volume variations of the two working chambers can be computed

with a closed-form equation, giving a chamber volume characteristic whereby
the volume first increases from the minimum to the maximum values in the
first half of the cycle followed by a steady decrease back to its minimum value
in the second half of the cycle. The first half is exploited for suction process and
the second is for compression and discharge processes. The vane geometry
can be included to give a more accurate calculation.
• Thermodynamics—Variations of pressure, temperature and mass with rotor's
angular position can be modelled from the 1st law of thermodynamics, mass
conservation principle and fluid properties relationships. The effect of heat
transfer may be included, but the effect is less noticeable when the operating
speed is high. Port size and valve dynamics are important in ensuring the
fluid to flow in or out of the compressor with enough flow rates to follow the
compressor's operating demands.
• Forces and torques—During operation, working fluid and various parts of
the rolling piston compressor interact with each other, resulting in variations
of forces and torques. These must be analysed to understand the dynamic
characteristics of the compressor, including the corresponding friction losses,
and to ensure that the parts are strong enough to withstand the loads. Most
of the major forces are in the vicinity of the vane. The vane side pressure force
and the vane tip force are among the most dominant forces in a rolling piston
compressor.
• Frictions—A rolling piston compressor has six main friction losses. They are at
the vane tip, the vane sides, between the rotor and the eccentric, at the endface
of the vane, at the endface of the rotor and at the shaft bearings. The prime
friction loss is typically that between the rotor and the eccentric, followed by
those at the vane side and the vane tip. In general, frictions are a function of
geometry, material properties and operating conditions. Design optimization
is possible to minimize the frictions of a rolling piston compressor.
• Vibration—A rolling piston compressor usually has only an outer suspension
system because its vibration is much less than a reciprocating machine. The
vibration is mostly influenced by inertia and the suspension system's spring
constant. To minimize the transient vibrations during starting and stopping,
a stiff suspension system is preferred. To minimize the steady-state vibration,
a higher inertia is required.
• Internal leakage—There are five main leakage paths in a rolling piston com-
pressor. These are through the vane tip gap, the vane side gap, the endface gap
between the vane and the cylinder, the endface gap between the rotor and the
cylinder, and the radial clearance gap between the rotor and the cylinder. The •
first two are usually negligible, while the last is usually the most dominant.
Various methods are available to model these leakages. In the simplest model,
the fluid is typically assumed as pure refrigerant, while in the more advanced
models, the fluid is treated as a mixture of refrigerant and oil. In general,
leakages are a function of geometry, material properties and operating con-
ditions. The overall impact of leakage reduces as the compressor's operating
speed increases. Design optimization is possible to maximize the volumetric
efficiency of a rolling piston compressor.
Lubrication—Lubrication is needed by a rolling piston compressor to seal the•
clearance gaps (to reduce internal leakage), to lubricate (to reduce friction
between the rubbing parts) and to cool the parts. The lubrication system
typically makes use of the high pressure in the shell and other mechanical
features (such as shaft pumps and spiral grooves) to drive the oil to flow to
the desired locations. The system can be modelled using the electrical circuit
analogy. In such method, the oil flow is analogous to electrical current, the
flow driver is analogous to potential difference and the flow resistances are
analogous to electrical resistances. A properly designed lubrication system
must have reasonable oil flow rates at all the lubrication paths.
Optimization—Friction and leakage losses in a rolling piston compressor are •
functions of geometry, operating conditions and material properties. There-
fore, for a given set of conditions and materials, the compressor's geometry
can be optimized to increase its performance. Various optimization algorithms
can be employed for such application. Computation fluid dynamic (CFD)
analysis can also be employed to assist in optimizing design aspects that may
affect the flow and thermodynamics processes.
Variable speed—Variable speed compressors are increasingly popular as it can•
save significant amounts of energy. Special focus has to be given to the journal
and lubrication designs as the varying speed results in more vibration and
higher loads.
Oil-free—An oil-free compressor is desirable as a lubrication system is com- •
plex. However, such compressors will suffer from severe leakage and may
overheat. Modifications to the design is possible, for example by having a
low-pressure shell, which will reduce the internal leakage. This concept is,
however, still in its infancy.
CO2 compressor—In high pressure applications like for a transcritical CO2 •
refrigeration system, internal leakages and pressure loads of a rolling pis-
ton compressor are more severe. Stronger parts are needed to ensure the
compressor is able to withstand the extra mechanical stress imposed by the
pressures. A shorter compressor with a high operating speed may be the
solution to overcome the leakage issue.
Expander—A rolling piston compressor can be modified to operate as an ex-
pander by reversing its cycle. In such application, the lubrication system must
be modified and the machine needs a suction valve, instead of a discharge
valve, to operate. A solenoid valve can be used, but it must have a very fast
response time and is costly. Another solution is to use two rolling piston
machines in series. The first is smaller and is used wholly for suction while the
second is used for expansion and discharge processes. This is not ideal either,
of course, because two machines are needed. Thus, rolling piston mechanism
is generally less preferred for expander applications as compared to other more
suitable mechanisms.

To conclude, dynamic models of the various aspects of a rolling piston compressor

have been formulated by researchers over the years and some have been presented
briefly in this write-up to give a broad overview of the technology. Some aspects
are very well understood, while others are still under investigation or development.
Readers who are interested to have a more in-depth study on the technology are
encouraged to find the relevant materials in the literature. Considering the steady
growth of household air conditioners, at which the rolling piston compressor is most
popular, especially in developing countries, it can be predicted that the popularity
of rolling piston machines will still remain strong in the foreseeable future.

> Read full chapter

Auxiliary Equipment
In Standard Handbook of Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering (Third Edition),
2016

3.4.5.4 Liquid Piston Compressor

The liquid piston compressor utilizes a liquid ring as a piston to perform gas
compression within the compression space. The liquid piston compressor stage uses
a single rotating element that is located eccentrically inside a housing (Figure 3.4.13).
The rotor has a series of vanes extending radially from it with a slight curvature
toward the direction of rotation. A liquid, such as oil, partially fills the compression
space between the rotor and the housing walls. As rotation takes place, the liquid
forms a ring as centrifugal forces and the vanes force the liquid to the outer boundary
of the housing. Since the element is located eccentrically in the housing, the liquid
ring (or piston) moves in an oscillatory manner. The compression space in the center
of the stage communicates with the gas inlet and outlet parts and allows a gas
pocket. The liquid ring alternately uncovers the inlet part and the outlet part. As
the system rotates, gas is brought into the pocket, compressed, and released to the
outlet port.

Figure 3.4.13. Liquid piston compressor [1, 5].

The liquid compressor has rather low efficiency, about 50%. The liquid piston
compressor may be staged. The main advantage to this type of compressor is that it
can be used to compress gases with significant liquid content in the stream.

> Read full chapter

Theoretical studies of a fixed vane ro-

tary compressor
K.T. Ooi, C.P. Ooi, in 7th International Conference on Compressors and their
Systems 2011, 2011

1 INTRODUCTION
The rolling piston compressor (RP) is widely used in the refrigeration and air-con-
ditioning industries. In its basic form, it consists of a cylinder, a roller, a vane, a
vane-spring, an eccentric and a discharge valve. The performance of the compressor
lies in the balance of the geometrical design, the thermodynamics aspects, heat
transfer and fluid flow interactions of the machine. The performance of this com-
pressor has been widely studied (1-6).

One of the disadvantages of the rolling piston compressor is its high frictional losses.
These frictional losses occur at these major rubbing areas: (i) vane tip and roller,(ii)
vane side and slot, (iii) vane and the cylinder endfaces, (iv) roller and eccentric, (v)
 roller and cylinder endfaces, (vi) eccentric and cylinder endfaces and (vii) main and
the secondary shaft bearings.

Since the vane separates the high and the low pressure chambers, the vane side-slot
friction is proportional to the magnitude of the pressure differential across the vane.
When the compressor operates at high pressure conditions, such as those using CO2
as the working fluid, this can result in a significantly large contact forces at the vane
side-slot contacts and hence results in a significant vane side-slot frictional loss.
Under such a situation, the vane tip friction is also increased as the back of the vane
is always exposed to the discharge pressure (in the case when the housing of the
compressor is filled with the discharge pressure).

To overcome these high friction losses, the vane tip and the vane side friction’s
dependency on the pressure differential across the vane has been eliminated by in-
troducing the newly invented Fixed Vane compressor (FV). In the following sections,
the conceptual design, mathematical model and theoretical results are shown and
discussed.

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