Difference in when air is compressed

Greenwater · January 13, 2017, 14:45

Hi, I'm new to this forum and I have a question that I need help with. I've been designing an air compressor pump (mostly for fun, and partially business related) and I have run into a design issue. The design issue revolves around when and how the air in compressed.

My question is. When/how is air compressed in an air compressor? As in a sliding vane compressor. Is the air compressed inside the compressor and then released into the holding tank? Or, is air just pushed along into the holding tank and it builds pressure that way?

Does one way of compressing the air cause more heat to build up vs another?

Sorry if this question is not in the right area or forum for that matter.

Thanks for the help.

Dr_Mech · January 15, 2017, 10:47

You have a cylindrical rotor inside of a housing, and the rotor has slots where the vanes are. The vanes can slide in and out.

The rotor is set eccentrically (off-center) in the housing so that on one side it almost touches. As the rotor spins, the vanes are thrown out by centrifugal force, until they touch the housing. If the pump is oil-lubricated, there will be a thin film of oil in between the vane and housing.

As air enters through the inlet, it's trapped between the vanes. As the rotor turns, the volume of the trapped air is gradually reduced, and thus the air pressure rises. The compressed air is then released into the holding tank.

Greenwater · January 15, 2017, 16:55

Thanks,

I realize how a sliding vane compressor works, but I was a little be confused about why it's designed a certain way, and not differently. I'm trying to create a completely new design but was a little confused as to what is best.

I think my questions was confusing, because I didn't know how to explain it right.

I've made come quick drawings of a sliding vane to illustrate my point.

In the first drawing, the air is being compressed inside the pump, and then being release out the exit, to the holding tank.

The pump in the second drawing is not compressing the air inside the pump, but rather compressing the air by forcing more air into the holding tank, and in turn compressing it.

I was wondering which pump will work better as far as the creation of heat (because of compressed the air), and also, would one pump take more energy to operate than the other.

From what I gather, the second pump would operate a little cooler than the first, because the heat (from compressing the air) is not really done inside the pump.

My design is not a sliding vane pump, but I'm just using this because it's easiest to visualize for my question.

January 13, 2017, 14:45	Difference in when air is compressed	#1
Greenwater New Member Kyle Y Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	Hi, I'm new to this forum and I have a question that I need help with. I've been designing an air compressor pump (mostly for fun, and partially business related) and I have run into a design issue. The design issue revolves around when and how the air in compressed. My question is. When/how is air compressed in an air compressor? As in a sliding vane compressor. Is the air compressed inside the compressor and then released into the holding tank? Or, is air just pushed along into the holding tank and it builds pressure that way? Does one way of compressing the air cause more heat to build up vs another? Sorry if this question is not in the right area or forum for that matter. Thanks for the help.

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January 15, 2017, 10:47		#2
Dr_Mech New Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 1 Rep Power: 0	You have a cylindrical rotor inside of a housing, and the rotor has slots where the vanes are. The vanes can slide in and out. The rotor is set eccentrically (off-center) in the housing so that on one side it almost touches. As the rotor spins, the vanes are thrown out by centrifugal force, until they touch the housing. If the pump is oil-lubricated, there will be a thin film of oil in between the vane and housing. As air enters through the inlet, it's trapped between the vanes. As the rotor turns, the volume of the trapped air is gradually reduced, and thus the air pressure rises. The compressed air is then released into the holding tank.

January 15, 2017, 16:55		#3
Greenwater New Member Kyle Y Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	Thanks, I realize how a sliding vane compressor works, but I was a little be confused about why it's designed a certain way, and not differently. I'm trying to create a completely new design but was a little confused as to what is best. I think my questions was confusing, because I didn't know how to explain it right. I've made come quick drawings of a sliding vane to illustrate my point. In the first drawing, the air is being compressed inside the pump, and then being release out the exit, to the holding tank. The pump in the second drawing is not compressing the air inside the pump, but rather compressing the air by forcing more air into the holding tank, and in turn compressing it. I was wondering which pump will work better as far as the creation of heat (because of compressed the air), and also, would one pump take more energy to operate than the other. From what I gather, the second pump would operate a little cooler than the first, because the heat (from compressing the air) is not really done inside the pump. My design is not a sliding vane pump, but I'm just using this because it's easiest to visualize for my question.