Enriquez, Joshua C.

Performed: 10 September 2018

2013 – 08582 Submittted: 18 September 2018

Exercise Number 4

Compressors

I. Introduction and Objectives

The exercise was conducted for the students to observe and see the different types of
compressors and also for them to have a hands-on experience in regards to seeing these
compressors function and how they work. For the rotary compressors, there is the Single
Vane and also the Double Vane types while compressors in Air conditioners (window-type),
Car aircons, as well as domestic Refrigerators fall under the reciprocating compressors’
category.
Compressors are commonly called the “heart of the vapor-compression system” and
reciprocating compressors utilize the back and forth movement of a piston for pumping
while the vane compressors facilitate positive displacement (Stoecker & Jones, 2004) by
forcing a fixed amount of liquid (refrigerant) to an opening or passageway.
The objective of the exercise is for students to identify and be familiar with the
different types of compressors as well as their common parts. Aside from that, it is
important also for the students to measure the operating volume of these different types
of compressors.

II. Materials and Methods

The materials used in the laboratory are only the samples of both the rotary
compressors (Single vane and Double vane) and reciprocating compressors from three
common applications (Car, Domestic Ref, and Window-type Aircon) inside the
refrigeration laboratory.
As the students were divided into groups of at least two (2) members, the instructor
took the time to discuss the differences and similarities of the three refrigeration setup
samples. All the while encouraging the students to identify and be familiar with the
compressor that is assigned to them. Not only that but also to enjoy and discover their
respective compressors’ specialties and functions. They are encouraged even also in
disassembling the parts and putting back them together as in the initial arrangement.
A table was provided for them to organize the gathering of the data and dimensions.
There would also be two trials for each to get the average value according to the students’
measurements. Dimensions needed for each compressor were obtained using the caliper.

III. Results and Discussion

In reciprocating compressors, a piston or a number of pistons act to draw in the
refrigerant in its vapor state (coming from the evaporator) at low pressure conditions.
This is done in the intake (suction) stroke while those same pistons compresses
(increasing the pressure) the refrigerant drawn and pushes it out to the discharge valve
leading up to the condenser. This pushing out and compression of refrigerant is, in turn,
administered in the exhaust (discharge) stroke.
Vane compressors can be classified into single-vane and multiple-vane types. The
single-vane compressor uses only one vane as the divider of the intake or suction and
exhaust or discharge chambers. This vane is pushed by the rotating rotor on one side and
is suspended into place back and forth by a spring. On the other hand, multiple-vane
compressors causes its vanes to move around and trap vapor coming from the intake
 (suction) and transport them to the exhaust (discharge) through the motion of the rotor.
These vanes are held against the walls of the cylinder that houses the rotor.
Rotary screw compressors draw in refrigerant by a void created at the suction part in
one end of the device and vapor flows in and pressure is increased in the difference of
volumes that the gullies (spaces in the screws) can occupy. This type of compressor
decreases the volume capacity of the gullies by meshing two (namely, a male and a
female) screws together. The compressed gas moves further in the screw with smaller
gullies until it reaches the unrestrained portion and is now in the discharge part leading
up to the condenser.
Lastly, centrifugal compressors utilize the use of vents and or ducts and the application
of high velocity fan-like blades that pushes the vapor and builds up pressure either by
constricting the flow passage or by “blocking up” the passages wherein the vapor can flow
freely.
Reciprocating compressors’ common parts are the piston, cylinder, connecting rod,
and crankshaft. The piston is connected to the crankshaft via the connecting rod (Wang,
2006). The cylinder, whose inner diameter houses the piston, holds the piston in place.
The piston is the one who ‘signals’ and performs the suction (intake valve) and discharge
(exhaust valve) depending on its stroke or motion. It is also responsible for compressing
the vaporized refrigerant causing an increase in pressure. The piston only moves in a
linear manner.
Rotary (vane) compressors’ common parts are the eccentric shaft wherein the rolling
piston is mounted while a fixed vane sliding in a slot is maintained in contact with the
roller (Wang, 2006). The rolling piston facilitates the suction and discharge in a rotary
manner while vapor is also compressed due to the motion.
The further differences in reation to their parts and other components for each can
be seen and compared using the appendix and the figures illustrated therein. The
appendix also contains the data sheet and values from which the operating volumes were
calculated for each type.

IV. Recommendations
I would recommend that more intensive studies and samples of other various types
of compressors also be done. More than illustrations, it would be helpful to provide even
actual devices or facilities that use other types of compressors and observe or view their
operation principles.

V. References
• Stoecker, W. F. & Jones, J. W. (2004). Chapter 11. Compressors. REFRIGERATION
AND AIR CONDITIONING, 2nd Edition. McGraw-Hill, Inc.
• Wang, S. K. (2001). Chapter 11. REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS: RECIPROCATING,
ROTARY, SCROLL, AND SCREW. HANDBOOK OF AIR CONDITIONING AND
REFRIGERATION, 2nd Edition. McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
• Photos of lecture and slides given by presiding laboratory instructor in laboratory
class at meeting held on 10 September 2018, Monday. (Results and Dicussion
part)
• Lecture notes from discussion about compressors given by the Lecturer, Dr.
Elepaño.
VI. Appendices

Table 1. Data and measurements for the different types of compressors studied in the
exercise. Values are the average computed out of at least two trials.
Diameter Volume
No. Of Height
Type Inner Outer
Cylinders mm3
mm mm mm
Single 15071.459
Vane 1 28.14 46.9 53.68
Rotary
Double 12531.656
Vane 1 30 42.95 48.75
Aircon 29094.2896
1 21 42 42
Car 62093.3825
Reciprocating
Aircon 3 19.25 37 37
Refrigerator 3589.3949
1 13.95 18.1 -

Figure 1. Reciprocating Compressor Figure 2. Vane Compressor

Figure 3. Rotary Screw Compressor Figure 4. Centrifugal Compressor