The most common types of air compressors on the market today

Air compressors are indispensable equipment in many different industries, from manufacturing, manufacturing to repair and maintenance. With the increasing demand of the market, there are now many different types of air compressors launched in the market, making it more difficult to choose the right product. In this article, RX Tradex will help you learn about  the most common types of air compressors today, from which to choose the right air compressor for your needs.

1. Air compressor overview

An air compressor is a mechanical device that increases the pressure of an air, converting electrical energy into a potential form of energy stored in compressed air. Air compressors are widely used in many different industries such as manufacturing, manufacturing, repair, maintenance, medical ,…

Air compressors come in a wide range of sizes, from compact units used to inflat wheels, to large reciprocating or turbo compressors, often used in large piping projects. Types of positive displacement compressors can be categorized into many forms, including reciprocating compressors, which are the most common, and rotary compressors such as torsion screws and rotary vanes.

2. Some common types of air compressors on the market

Currently on the market, there are many different types of air compressors classified based on the operating principle of each type of machine. So what types of industrial air compressors are commonly used today? Find out below with RX Tradex.

2.1. Piston compressor

A piston compressor is a device that uses a piston to move in a cylinder to compress air, and then discharge compressed air into the reservoir. Unlike other types of compressors, piston compressors are often integrated with both compressors and tanks in the same frame or part, called compression assemblies.

Piston compressors are primarily used to supply compressed air as an energy source, but are also used in the pipeline mining industry for natural gas transmission. When choosing a piston compressor, one usually considers the required pressure (psi) and air flow rate (scfm). Compressed air systems in factories typically operate in a pressure range of 90-110 psi, with capacities between 30 and 2500 cfm. Commercially available compressor units are usually capable of meeting these requirements.

2.2. Screw compressor

Torsion screw compressor is a type of continuous rotary compressor, widely applied in heavy industries such as construction, road construction, mining,… Thanks to its intelligent construction and outstanding operational efficiency, torsion screw compressors become the first choice for compressed air transport needs that require high power and stable operation.

The compressor’s internal components, consisting of two rotors, are attached to the gearbox, which pulls air in at the transmission end, compresses the air as the rotor creates a space and pushes the gas along the shaft. The compressed air is then discharged through an exhaust port at the non-drive end, making the screw compressor quieter than a piston compressor by reducing vibration.

Another strength of screw compressors compared to piston compressors is that they do not cause impulses when discharging gas. Screw compressors can use oil or water as a lubricant, or are designed to produce oil-free compressed air, meeting the needs of applications that require clean air.

2.3. Sliding vane air compressor

Sliding vane compressors work on the principle of using vanes mounted on a rotor, sweeping along the eccentric wall in the compression cavity. When the rotor rotates, the vanes move from the suction side to the exhaust side of the cavity, shrinking the space they sweep through, compressing the gas trapped in this cavity. The vanes slide on a layer of oil on the eccentric wall, forming an effective washer.

Sliding vane compressors do not provide oil-free compressed air, but they are capable of producing non-pulsating compressed air. This type of compressor removes pollutants by using bushings instead of bearings and operates at a slower speed than screw compressors. Thanks to this design, the sliding vane compressor is quiet, reliable and can operate 100% continuously.

2.4. Scroll air compressor

Roll compressors, also known as scroll compressors, work on the principle of using two twisted coils to compress air. One reel is fixed, while the other moves in an eccentric trajectory without rotation. When the movable coil twists around the fixed coil, the gas is sucked in and compressed gradually from the outside into the center, creating high-pressure compressed air.

Roll compressors have many advantages, including quiet operation and low vibration due to the absence of reciprocating parts as in piston compressors. Furthermore, coil compressors have high efficiency and the ability to produce clean oil-free compressed air, which makes them suitable for applications requiring clean compressed air such as in the medical, food and electronics industries.

2.5. Centrifugal compressor

Centrifugal compressors have the same principle of operation as high-speed pumps. Both use propellers to drive the gas, which increases its speed and pressure. They are commonly used in large industrial applications such as commercial refrigeration units, processing plants, etc., with capacities ranging from hundreds of horsepower to tens of thousands of horsepower and delivering significant amounts of gas, up to hundreds of thousands of cubic feet per minute.

In centrifugal compressors, gas is ejected from the rotating impeller and expands in the housing space, resulting in an increase in pressure. This principle resembles a centrifugal pump, where gas is accelerated and pressurized by moving through rotating impellers.

2.6. Axial compressor

An axial compressor is a form of air compressor capable of delivering significant amounts of air, typically ranging from 8,000 to 13 million cfm in industrial applications. They use jet engines to produce gas in a wider range.

The design of axial compressors is usually multistage and larger than that of centrifugal compressors, because of the lower compression ratio. Similar to other centrifugal devices, axial compressors increase pressure by increasing the speed of the original air. The axial compressor then slows down the air by guiding it through the curved blades, thereby increasing the pressure.

3. Which is the best air compressor on the market

With a series of popular air compressors as above, finding a machine that suits your needs is not easy. To help you choose an air compressor more conveniently, RX Tradex will suggest some of the best air compressors on the market today such as:

3.1. Dekton screw compressor

• Manufactured by Dekton, a company specializing in the manufacture and supply of air compression equipment.
• There is a screw design, which works on the principle of air compression by using two or more rotating screw blades to compress air.
• Suitable for industrial applications such as metalworking, manufacturing, or in the process industry.

3.2. Puma air compressor

• Puma is a well-known brand of air compressors and other related products.
• Offering a wide range of air compressors, from screw compressors to piston compressors, to suit the diverse needs of our customers.
• Widely applied in industries and applications from small to large.

3.3. Hitachi screw compressors

• Hitachi is a well-known brand with a wide range of industrial products, including air compressors.
• Hitachi screw compressors are highly efficient and reliable, suitable for industrial applications requiring high pressure and flow.

3.4. Fusheng screw compressor

• Fusheng is a leading company in manufacturing air compressors and related equipment in Taiwan.
• Fusheng’s screw compressors are designed to meet the needs of various industrial applications with high performance and durability.

3.5. Pegasus air compressors – Vietnam

• Pegasus is a Vietnamese air compressor brand, specializing in providing air compressors with high quality and affordable prices.
• Pegasus products are commonly used in industrial applications such as manufacturing, metalworking, construction, etc.

4. Summary

Above is basic information about the most popular types of air compressors on the market today. RX Tradex hopes this article will help you choose the right air compressor for your production needs.

In addition, to know more about a variety of advanced machines and technological equipment to serve the production process more efficiently and productively, you can participate in Vietnam Manufacturing Expo 2024, organized by RX Tradex. This is not only an ordinary exhibition event but also a place for businesses to meet,  exchange and connect with potential partners and investors, exchange experiences with leading experts in the field of manufacturing and supporting industries.