Air compressor on ships can be classified into two different types namely:

Main air compressor: These air compressors are high-pressure compressors has a minimum pressure value of 30 bars and used to run the main engine.

Service air compressor: It compresses air to the low pressure of only 7 bars and later used in service and control airlines.

There are mainly four types of compressors:

  1. Centrifugal compressor
  2. Rotary vane compressor
  3. Rotary screw compressor
  4. Reciprocating air compressor

However, on ship reciprocating air compressor is widely used. A reciprocating air compressor consists of a piston, connecting rod, crankshaft, wrist pin, suction valve and discharge valves. 

The piston is connected to the low and high side of the suction line and discharge line. The crankshaft rotates which in turn rotates the piston. The downward moving piston reduces the pressure in the main cylinder, the pressure difference will open the suction valve. The piston is taken down by the rotating crankshaft and the low-pressure air gets filled in the cylinder. Now the piston reciprocates upward and this upward movement starts building up the pressure and closes the suction valve.  When the air gets pressurized to its specific value discharge valve gets opened and the pressurized air starts moving through the discharge line and gets stored in air bottle. This pressurized air in air bottle can be used to run the main as well as auxiliary engines later on. There can be single acting and a double-acting reciprocating air compressor on the ship.

Normally, air compressors onboard ships are:



Modifié le: lundi 1 juillet 2024, 12:14