Different Types of Compressors on Board

Compressors are used for compression of gases by decreasing the volume and
imparting a corresponding increase in pressure. There are a different types of
compressors used for different uses onboard. We have refrigeration compressors
used in air conditioning and refrigeration. We have air compressors for supplying
compressed air; we have compressors on the engine turbochargers supplying
compressed air to the engines for combustion. There are different types of
compressors like centrifugal compressors, rotary vanes compressors, rotary
screw compressor, reciprocating air compressors, etc. In this article we shall be
discussing the reciprocating air compressors.

Onboard we have different types of air compressors in use. There are main air
compressors used for supplying high pressure air for starting of the main engine
and auxiliary engines, control air compressor for supplying control air, topping air
compressors for topping up and taking account of the leakages, and on some
ships we have deck air compressors to give air for the use on decks. In addition
we have a special oil free compressor for filling up the breathing air bottles
known as the breathing air compressors.

Generally two pressures of air are used: 30 bars high pressure air used generally
for starting of the engines and 7 bars low pressure air used for control and
general service air. In the choice of an air compressors for applications requiring
air above 7 bars, we generally use reciprocating air compressors as it has a
more positive sealing in comparison to the other types of compressors like rotary
vane, centrifugal, rotary screw etc. In reciprocating compressors the compression
ratio of 1:7 is the limit due to the rise in temperature, thus to get 35 bars pressure
the machine has to be a double stage compressor with inter-cooling. Most of the
marine compressors used are two staged reciprocating compressors with inter-
cooling and after cooling.

Use of Compressed air on Merchant Ships

On merchant ships compressed air is used for a variety of uses some of which
have been mentioned below:

• For automation and control of main engines, auxiliary engines, etc.

• For starting of the main engines, auxiliary engines, emergency generators,
emergency fire pumps, etc.
• For heaving the life boat up by the use of an air motor.
• For pressurizing the hydrophores for domestic fresh water and sanitary
water used in accommodation.
• For use in the sewage plant for conducting aerobic sewage breakdowns.
• For use in fog horns and ships whistles.
• For use in pneumatic tools like pneumatic grinder, pneumatic chisels,
pneumatic drills, pneumatic spanners, etc.
• For use in painting operations.
• For general cleaning.
• For soot blowing of the boilers.
• Used in pneumatic pumps for oil transfer.
• And used as general service air