Reciprocating or Rotary?

1 Study the pictures. Answer the questions

1. In what machinery can these motions be applied?

2. How can these motions affect to the operation of the machinery?

Vocabulary

2 Match the words with their definitions.

1 piston A means the resistance that one surface or object encounters when
moving over another.
2 helical screws B moves inside of the chamber up and down
3 efficiency C means an apparatus for cooling gas between successive
compressions, especially in a supercharged vehicle engine.
4 output D means the ratio of the useful work performed by a machine or
in a process
5 intercooler E mean screws having the shape or form of a spiral
6 friction F means the amount of something produced by a person,
machine, or industry

1 2 3 4 5 6

3 Fill in the gap using the words form the box.

intercooler | pistons | efficiency | helical screws | output

1. A piston (reciprocating) compressor uses ________ controlled by a crankshaft to deliver

the gas at high pressure.
2. Pumps and compressors are representative fluid machineries, which are indispensably
important industrial equipment for water supply systems and fluid power systems with
high ________________________.
3. For Screw rotary compressor rotating elements are ______________
4. To cool the air we use _________________ in the reciprocating air compressor.
5. The ________________ of an air compressor is higher than other forms of the power
machines.
6. The _______ between blades increases pressure inside.
Reading

4 Read two abstracts. Define what types of air compressors are mentioned. Justify your opinion.
________________ have two compression chambers on either side of a piston. Double-acting
compressors are typically water-cooled by a continuous stream of water through the engine. This
provides a better cooling system than other compressors.
___________________have two internal “screws” that rotate in opposite directions, trapping and
compressing air between them. The two screws also generate constant movement as they rotate
around. This is a common type of air compressor and is one of the easiest to take care of. The
engines are typically industrial-sized and are great for continuous use.

5 Answer the questions:

What is common in these machines?

What is different in them?

6 Read the text and underline the key facts about pumps’ specific features

Positive displacement air compressors force air in a chamber where the volume is
decreased to compress the air.
Reciprocating or Piston Type Rotary Screw

Reciprocating or Piston-Type compressors
pump air by action of pistons. Drawing in air
on the down stroke and discharging air on its
upstroke. Reciprocating compressors can be
single-stage or two-stage, while two-stages of
compression creates greater efficiency. These
compressors are designed to run for a period,
and then have down time to cool. High
pressures are achievable with piston
compressors because the compression cycle is
positive displacement. Multiple stages allow
for higher pressures to be reached. An example
of this would be breathing air compressors that
must recharge air tanks rated for 4500psi.
The maximum operating duty cycle on a
reciprocating compressor is 70%, optimal is
50%.
The maximum operating duty cycle on an oil
free reciprocating compressor is 50%, optimal
is 30%.
Rotary Screw uses two helical screws that
rotate with close clearances next to each other.
Air travels through the grooves and is
compressed as the channels volume decreases,
which increases pressure. Rotary compressors
have fewer moving parts and excellent cooling
capabilities, meaning they can run 100% of the
time without needing down time to cool. Oil is
used to cool, lubricate, and seal the screws –
which must be separated from the air after the
compression cycle. Due to the nature of
lubricating the screws, there is more oil present
in the discharged air. Separation is achieved by
use of an Air/Oil separator.
The maximum operating duty cycle on a rotary
screw compressor is 100%, optimal is 70%.

7 Two truths and one lie. Correct one lie. Make your own variant

Reciprocating compressor advantages Rotary Screw compressor advantages

o Simple design o Excellent cooling
o Low initial cost o Low initial cost
o Quiet operation o Quiet operation
Reciprocating compressor disadvantages Rotary compressor disadvantages
o Loud operation o Oil injected results in oil carryover
o Heat caused by friction of pistons o Difficult to operate in dirty
 requires downtime to cool environments
o High rotational speeds o Not design to run 100% of the time

8 Fill in the gaps. Describe the processes of a reciprocating compressor and a rotary
compressor operation.

a) Rotor spins to operate two pistons at the same time.

b) Large piston pulls in air, and then pushes it out to the intercooler.
c) Small piston then forces the pressurized air through output.
d) Intercooler uses water to cool the air
e) Small piston pulls large volume of air into a small space pressurizing it.

a) Screw motion creates vacuum

b) Air is forced through output
c) Air trapped in spaces compresses as it travels down the screws
d) Screw turn
Speaking

9 Speak about types of air compressors using the plan:

- elements of the an air compressor
-principle of operation
-advantages and disadvantages