1.1 Applications of an air compressor
A compressor is one such device which is used for several purposes on a ship. The main aim of the compressor, as the name suggests, is to compress air or any fluid in order to reduce its volume. A Compressor is a multipurpose device which finds many applications on a ship. Some of the main forms of compressors used on ships are the main air compressor, deck air compressor, AC compressor and refrigeration compressor. In this article, we will learn about air compressors and its types. Air compressor is a device with vast application in almost all sorts of industries and household requirements. In the maritime industry as well, air compressors are used in essential equipment or the feeder equipment to different systems. They can be employed in a number of processes ranging from small process of cleaning of the filters to the bigger and crucial tasks such as starting main as well as secondary engines. Air Compressor produces pressurized air by decreasing the volume of air and in turn increasing its pressure. Different types of air compressors are used according to the usage.
In a more technical language, an air compressor can be defined as a mechanical device in which electrical or mechanical energy is transformed into pressure energy in the form of pressurized air. Air compressor works on the principles of thermodynamics. According to the ideal gas equation without any temperature difference, with an increase in gaseous pressure, its volume reduces. The air compressor works on the same principle on which it produces compressed air, by reducing the volume of air this reduction in volume results in an increase in air pressure without any temperature difference.