A

Air-Cooled Compressors: Compressors that use air as a cooling medium, typically by using a fan to circulate air across the compressor’s components to manage heat.
Absolute Pressure: The total pressure measured relative to a perfect vacuum, used in assessing the pressure inside a compressor.

B

Back Pressure: The pressure exerted against the flow of air or gas, often used to refer to resistance within a system or at the compressor outlet.
Boosters: Compressors that take compressed gas and further increase the pressure; designed to achieve very high pressures for specialized tasks.
Burst Pressure: The pressure at which a component or system is likely to fail or rupture, often used as a safety benchmark.

C

Compressor Efficiency: A measure of the work output of a compressor relative to the input energy required to achieve that work.
Centrifugal Compressor: A type of dynamic compressor that uses centrifugal force to increase the velocity of a gas, commonly used for high-volume, low-pressure applications.
Cooling System: A system integrated within compressors to dissipate heat generated during operation, ensuring optimal performance and preventing damage.

D

Discharge Pressure: The pressure of the compressed air or gas as it exits the compressor.

F

Flow Rate: The volume of air or gas that passes through a compressor in a given period, usually measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM) or liters per second (L/s).

G

Gas Compressor: A machine designed to increase the pressure of gases like natural gas or oxygen, typically used in industrial, manufacturing, or energy sectors.
Gaseous Mixtures: Combinations of different gases compressed within a system, requiring specialized handling to prevent safety hazards.

H

Heat Exchanger: A device used to transfer heat between fluids (e.g., air, oil) in a compressor system, helping to maintain optimal operational temperature.
High-Pressure Stage: The part of a multi-stage compressor where the gas or air is compressed to its highest pressure.

I

Inlet Valve: A component that regulates the flow of air or gas into the compressor, ensuring the system operates within optimal pressure ranges.
Intercooler: A cooling device that reduces the temperature of the compressed gas between compressor stages, improving overall efficiency.

L

Lubricated Compressor: A type of compressor that uses oil or another lubricant to reduce friction between moving parts, often resulting in quieter operation and better longevity.

M

Multi-Stage Compression: A process where compression occurs in multiple stages, with the gas being cooled between stages to improve efficiency and avoid overheating.
Maintenance Interval: The scheduled period after which maintenance activities (e.g., oil changes, filter replacements) should be carried out to ensure the optimal functioning of the compressor.

O

Oil-Free Compressor: A compressor that operates without the use of oil for lubrication, typically used in applications where oil contamination is a concern (e.g., food industry, pharmaceuticals).

P

Pressure Relief Valve: A safety device designed to release pressure from a system if it exceeds preset limits, preventing damage or failure of the compressor.
Piston Compressor: A type of reciprocating compressor that uses pistons to compress air or gas, often used for medium to high pressure applications.

R

Refrigerated Dryer: A device used to remove moisture from compressed air by cooling the air, commonly paired with compressors in applications requiring dry air.

S

Safety Valve: A valve that automatically releases air or gas if the pressure within a system exceeds a certain threshold, ensuring the system doesn’t over-pressurize.
Screw Compressor: A type of compressor that uses two rotating helical screws to compress air or gas, widely used in industrial applications for continuous operation.

T

Thermal Overload Protector: A device that prevents the compressor motor from overheating by cutting off power if the temperature exceeds safe operating limits.

V

Variable Speed Drive (VSD): A system that adjusts the compressor’s motor speed based on demand, improving energy efficiency and reducing wear on the components.

W

Water-Cooled Compressors: Compressors that use water circulation to remove heat generated during operation. They are used in applications where effective temperature control is critical.
Working Pressure: The pressure at which a compressor is designed to operate under normal conditions, often expressed as a maximum allowable value.