How Does A Diesel Driven Air Compressor Work?

23 Dec.,2024

 

How Does A Diesel Driven Air Compressor Work?

Diesel driven air compressors can be complex systems, with numerous components, but every air compressor has two core components:

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  • Air end
  • Diesel engine

The air end is the &#;heart&#; of the air compressor. It is the part of the air compressor that compresses the air, drawing air from the atmosphere and then forcing it into a much smaller space. In rotary screw air compressors, the air end is comprised of the rotors and rotor housing. In reciprocating air compressors, the air end contains the pistons.

But the air end needs a power source to operate, which is where the diesel engine comes in. A diesel driven engine converts diesel fuel into motion, forcing the air end to move and the system to compress air.

VMAC&#;s diesel driven air compressor looks like this:

From the outside, the system seems sleek and simple. It&#;s essentially a black box with some venting and an oil filter sticking out. But on the inside, there is a lot more going on:

By taking this system apart and looking at the components individually, we can get an even better understanding of what is happening inside the diesel driven air compressor.

Each of these components plays an important role within the diesel driven air compressor and together, they allow the system to compress air. From left to right, the identified components are:

Component Purpose Service Panel Protects air compressor system from elements and contamination; allows access for servicing. Engine Radiator Cools heat generated by the system Battery Provides power to the diesel engine Control Panel Controls the system operation and stored settings Fuel Filter Filters contaminants in the diesel fuel Kubota Diesel D902 Engine Rotates the air end and transfers energy from the battery to the air compressor system Engine & Compressor Air Filter Filters contaminants in the air VMAC Air End Compresses air Coalescing Filter Removes water and oil aerosols from compressed air Air/Oil Separator Tank Removes oil from compressed air, ensuring the oil recirculates within the system Compressor Oil Cooler Maintains optimal compressor oil temperatures

How Does A Small Diesel Engine Work?

Diesel engines use combustion to ignite fuel and generate energy. Hot, compressed air and diesel fuel are mixed in a combustion chamber, and the reaction between the air and fuel causes an explosion.

Here is a breakdown of what happens when you turn on a small diesel engine:

The Engine Heats Up

When you turn on the engine, the battery powers the pistons in the cylinder up and down. The pistons push the air through the cylinders, into a combustion chamber where it is compressed. Compression forces the molecules in the air to move faster, which naturally heats the air. Fuel is then injected into the hot, compressed air, and ignites. This process is repeated continuously until the engine is powered off.

If the temperature of the engine is too cold, a glow plug may be used to help the air meet the required temperature to ignite. Glow plugs heat the air within the cylinder during the first few seconds the engine is turned on. After the fuel first ignites, the glow plug turns off.

Fuel Is Pumped To The Cylinders

While the above process occurs, additional fuel is delivered by the system. The fuel is pumped from the fuel tank, passing through filters, a higher pressurization pump, and a delivery tube (called a fuel rail) along the way. The pressurized fuel then reaches the fuel injectors, which deliver fuel to the cylinders.

(A Rail Fuel Injection System, Source: Dummies.com)

Air Is Pumped To The Cylinders

During the ignition process, air is also pumped to the cylinders. On some engines, this air passes through a simple air cleaner en route to the cylinders. In others, a turbocharger is used to increase the amount of compressed air in the cylinders, resulting in better fuel economy and power. In either scenario, the air travels through an intake valve and is delivered to the cylinders.

Want to learn more about air compressors? Check out our Guide To Rotary Screw Air Compressors!

 

 

 

The Mechanics of a Diesel-Powered Air Compressor

If you&#;ve always wanted to know how diesel-powered air compressor work, specifically the ins and outs of operating these magnificent devices and the benefits of doing so, read on.

Large and small machinery&#;everything from drills to nail guns, grinders, spray guns, sanders and even staplers&#;are commonly used with air compressors. We relied on complicated systems of belts and wheels before contemporary air compressors arrived on the scene.

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Today, they can be found everywhere, from little pneumatic tools in most people&#;s garages to massive machinery in industries. Also, do you require a diesel generator for your construction site? Viking Industrial offers Kubota Diesel Generator which provides exceptional dependability and service life.

The fact that each tool does not require its own heavy engine is a significant advantage of airpower. The electrical energy is instead converted into kinetic energy by a single motor on the compressor. This results in tools that are light, compact, easy to use, run silently and have fewer parts that wear out.

You&#;ve come to the right place if you want to learn how different air compressors work and how they may help you in your daily life&#;keep reading to find out everything you need to know.

Anatomy of air compressor powered by diesel

Simply put, air compressors do exactly what they sound like they do&#;they employ air pressure to accomplish their goals.

To begin, they compress air into a smaller volume than it was previously. Following this, the newly compressed air is pumped into a storage tank. The air compressor turns off when the tank reaches its maximum pressure, and you can use the compressed air inside.

Regardless of size or application, the components found inside air compressors are usually relatively similar. The following are some of the most prevalent parts:

  • An engine
  • An inlet valve
  • An outlet valve
  • A pump for air compression
  • A storage tank
  • A primary oil separator tank.

While not all compressors include storage tanks, the majority of bigger types do. As a result, unless a model is extremely portable, it makes sense to have a storage tank.

How do air compressors powered by diesel work?

An air compressor operates primarily on the principle of air displacement. Simply put, when air is forced into a compression chamber, it gets compressed. Positive and dynamic displacement are two types of displacement.

Positive displacement

This is the most widely utilised method, and it is critical to grasp in engineering. Positive displacement compressors suck air into a chamber and reduce the capacity of the chamber to compress the air.

Dynamic displacement

This approach simply entails the introduction of air into a chamber via revolving blades. The movement of the blades rapidly builds pressure in a chamber and produces massive amounts of compressed air. Centrifugal Force compressors and Axial Compressors are the two main forms of dynamic displacement compressors.

Diesel air compressor types

Below, we look at three different types of air compressors.

Screw compressors (rotary)

Rotary screw compressors are typically used in industrial applications and are available in a number of sizes. Inside the electric motor, two screws rotate in opposite directions. In rotary screw air compressors, this motion creates a vacuum that pulls air in. The air drawn into the threads of the rotary screws is squeezed and then released through the exit valve.

Compressors with pistons (also known as reciprocating piston compressors)

When the piston of a reciprocating air compressor moves, it compresses the entering atmospheric air. An intake valve (also known as a suction valve) allows air to enter the cylinder. A storage tank for compressed air is generally included with a piston compressor, which minimises wear and enhances efficiency.

The majority of diesel-powered air compressors are piston-driven and come as self-contained units with the engine and compressor located next to each other.

Rotary (vane) compressors

These use a variety of rotating vanes of various diameters. When the automatically adjusted arms rotate in rotary vane compressors, the air is pulled into the chambers. When the motor spins, the air travels with it, causing the arms to approach the output, narrowing the gap between the vanes and the casing. Compressed air is formed as a result of this process.

Air compression stages

Single-stage compressors

A single-stage cycle is used by the majority of piston-based compressors. This indicates that the engine compresses the air in a single stroke.

Two-stage compressors

In a two-stage cycle, one piston compresses the air before moving it to a smaller chamber, where it is further compressed. When operating, these compressors generate a lot of heat, and the air must be cooled down between cycles.

Aspects of air compressors that should be considered

Regulators

The pressure flowing out of the exit valve is reduced or increased by regulators. The regulator compresses a spring, which closes a valve and lowers pressure. This is usually done to provide the necessary pressure to operate your air tools.

Portability

The portability of the diesel air compressor is one of its strongest points. They&#;re usually installed on wheels and may be towed by just about any vehicle. They&#;re designed to work in a variety of temperatures and may be left on for hours or days without issue. Your compressor will keep working as long as you have both oil and diesel.

Availability of a wide range of alternatives

The versatility of portable diesel compressors is another area where they excel. There are a plethora of improvements you may make to your compressor to expand its capabilities, including:

  • Filters at the inlet for excessively dusty incoming air
  • Heaters (to warm air that has been cooled, preventing dampness)
  • Air conditioners (to cool down air once it has been compressed)
  • Adaptors for tow bars
  • Beginning (cold) (to start in extremely cold areas)

Features of safety

There are also a number of safety measures that can be really useful. If you&#;re going to use your compressor near flammable materials, you should have a spark-arrestor fitting to avoid explosions.

Diesel compressors work in the same way as standard electrical compressors, but with the added benefit of being powered by diesel rather than electricity.

Diesel engines

As previously stated, every compressor comprises a motor that is used to operate the pump. When using an air compressor with a combustion engine, the engine is normally connected directly to the compressor. Some methods connect the diesel engine to a set of pulleys and belts that assist in motor regulation.

A diesel-fueled air compressor will usually have a simple control system, unlike the larger, more complicated stationary ones you may find on a factory floor. The engine is typically controlled mechanically and is linked to the compressor.

It is controlled by a basic start/stop button (and occasionally a load/unload button).

Find the ideal air compressor for you

Understanding how diesel-powered air compressors function, is key to finding the right fit. Check out our range of new and used air compressors, or contact the Viking Industrial team for advice, to find the right one for you.

Are you interested in learning more about Diesel Portable Air Compressor? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!