Compressors Fundamentals

Explore how a compressor increases gas pressure, from 1 to 5 atmospheres, for pure gases or gas mixtures, by decreasing volume.

Compressors raise gas pressure by increasing gas velocity, converting kinetic energy to pressure, or by decreasing volume. Pumps raise liquid pressure by converting kinetic energy into pressure or by displacement.

Explore the three compressor classifications—dynamic, positive displacement, and thermal (ejectors)—and examine centrifugal and axial within dynamic, rotary and reciprocating within positive displacement, with each type covered in dedicated videos.

Compare centrifugal, axial, and positive displacement compressors by pressure, flow rate, and efficiency, showing how dynamic compressors convert kinetic energy into pressure and pd delivers highest pressure but lower flow.

Explore how compressors raise gas pressure by lowering volume and applying the general gas law, including ideal PV=nRT and real gas corrections with the compressibility factor Z.

Calculate compression ratio from discharge and suction absolute pressures, and distinguish absolute from gauge pressure, accounting for atmospheric pressure. Mitigate heat as compression raises temperature with cooling and multi-stage compression.

Compute the compression ratio by dividing the discharge pressure by the suction pressure, here 1500 psi absolute by 14.7 psi absolute, across a four-stage compressor with interstage cooling.

Dynamic compressors convert gas velocity into pressure using centrifugal or axial stages, with mass conservation and the inverse area-velocity relationship driving the pressure rise.

Shows how a compressor's volute and impeller convert kinetic energy into pressure, increasing velocity and raising pressure from the suction line inlet to the discharge line outlet through area changes.

Centrifugal compressors use an impeller to increase velocity, converting kinetic energy into pressure in the discharge line. Single-stage or multi-stage configurations use one or more impellers to increase pressure.

Explore how the impeller in a compressor increases gas velocity and kinetic energy, and classify impellers as open, semi-closed, or closed with vane and disk configurations.

Explore how an axial flow compressor converts gas kinetic energy into pressure by rotating a shaft-driven rotor, with fixed stators guiding flow along the axis through multiple stages.

Use an axial flow compressor for high pressure and high volumetric flow rate, adjusting pressure by rotor and stator stages, while keeping gas clean to avoid corrosion.

Positive displacement compressors trap gas in a cylinder, reducing volume to increase pressure; they include reciprocating (piston or diaphragm) and rotary (screw, sliding vane, liquid ring) types.

Identify two types of positive displacement compressors: rotary and reciprocating, and explain how rotation or back-and-forth motion displaces gas from suction to discharge, producing higher discharge pressure.

Explore surge in compressors, an aerodynamic instability caused by reverse flow from high to low pressure, and how mass flow and pressure ratio define the operating and surge lines.

explore p&id representations of compressors, including centrifugal and positive displacement types, with volumes, energy sources like motor or turbine, and vertical or horizontal orientation for gas and liquid systems.

Simulate a two-stage gas compressor in Aspen HYSYS, building a vapor-phase hydrocarbon mixture with the Pink Robinson fluid package, and using coolers and energy streams to reach 1,000 kPa.

Model a two-stage compression with liquid presence, using separators, mixers, coolers, and a valve to manage liquid and vapor and produce a saleable methane-rich natural gas stream.