A compressor is a mechanical device that takes a medium and compresses it into a smaller volume. Compressors can increase or decrease a given mass to a lower or higher pressure. A mechanical drive or mechanical or electrical drive is usually connected to a pump that is used to compress the media.

Compressors have many everyday uses, such as:

  •     Air conditioners, (cars, homes)
  •     Air pumps
  •     Home and industrial refrigeration
  •     High pressure car washes
  •     Hydraulic compressors for industrial machinery
  •     Air compressors for industrial manufacturing

Compressors are used by many industries that depend on the power of compressed gases or fluids to drive all kinds of manufacturing processes.

There are several different types of compressors:

Rotary screw compressor - Two helical rotors force gas into a chamber that decreases in size, increasing the gas pressure. The screws in rotary screw compressors can be lubricated with oil or not lubricated. Oil-less compressors are used for gases that must remain clean and uncontaminated. Rotary screw Rotary screw compressors are typically sized from 30-200 horsepower.

Reciprocating compressor - One or more pistons are moved in a cylinder to increase the gas pressure. This is similar to a combustion engine without fuel ignition. Just like cars, pistons generate a lot of heat so reciprocating compressors are usually cooled by air or water. Multi-stage reciprocating compressors pass compressed gas from one cylinder to another, increasing the pressure at each stage. Most industrial compressors are multi-stage, ranging from one to 500 horsepower or more.

Centrifugal compressor - Centrifugal compressors accelerate and compress gas through a rotor with blades. Centrifugal force is used to force air or gas into an outer chamber under higher pressure. Centrifugal compressors are designed to operate above 75-80% speed. Surges can occur below this speed. This makes centrifugal compressors ideal for continuous high-duty operation.