Air conditioners have a wide variety of parts to make the room’s atmosphere cool and comfortable.
In this article, we will discuss about a particular component called ” Compressor,” which is also called the heart of an air conditioner or a refrigerator.
There are two types of compressors used in air conditioners: a Rotary compressor and a reciprocating compressor.
Let’s find out the difference between Reciprocating vs Rotary Compressors in this article.
We will also learn about how a Reciprocating or Rotary Compressor contributes to the whole process of air conditioning, what the difference is between Rotary and Reciprocating compressors, and which one you should choose for your air conditioner.
But before we learn about compressors, we should know how an air conditioner works and the role of a compressor in an air conditioner or a refrigerator.
Working Principle Of Air Conditioner
All refrigerators or air conditioners have three main components: the compressor, condenser, and evaporator(s), along with an expansion valve to reduce the pressure of refrigerants.
A refrigerator or an air conditioner does not supply cool air, but these machines condition the air.
What that means is that it takes the heat out of your room, and that’s why you feel cool. You might feel what the blower does in the air conditioner. The blower recirculates the air, which is already conditioned.
This whole concept of conditioning the air is called HVAC ( Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning)
Evaporation
When the refrigerant is in the evaporator, it is in a gaseous state with low pressure and temperature. Due to the low temperature, it can easily absorb the heat and go to the compressor.
Compression
In the compressor, the refrigerant gas is pressurized with the help of the compressor motor, thus increasing the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant. The refrigerant is still in the gaseous state in the compressor.
Condensation
The high-pressure and high-temperature refrigerant gas flows to the condenser, where the temperature is reduced.
Because of that, the refrigerant gets converted to a liquid, but the pressure remains high. This is where the refrigerant dissipates the heat into the atmosphere.
Expansion
The cold refrigerant liquid then goes through expansion valves that reduce the pressure. While the refrigerant leaves the expansion valves, it is low-pressure and low-temperature liquid.
The liquid refrigerant absorbs the heat again for the refrigerator and converts itself into a low-pressure, high-temperature gas in the evaporator. The cycle then continues like that.
So, it is the evaporator that absorbs the heat from the refrigerator, and the compressor helps condition the air so that the condenser tubes can dissipate the heat into the atmosphere.
Now we have seen that a compressor plays a major role in the entire air conditioning system. That is why a compressor is called the heart of a refrigerator or an air conditioner.
Different Types Of Compressors In Air Conditioners
There are two types of compressors used in air conditioners. Both compressor types have their advantages and disadvantages.
- Reciprocating Compressor
- Rotary Compressor
Reciprocating Compressor
Reciprocating compressors contain a cylinder and piston similar to the engine of a vehicle. The movement of the piston creates pressure on the refrigerant, and thus the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant get elevated.
A motor runs the compressor. It can be a single-stage compressor for a home air conditioning system and a double-stage compressor for large-scale industrial use.
Rotary Compressor
The rotary Compressor consists of specially designed rotors. The clearance between the blades is very low. These rotors rotate in the opposite direction from the compressor inlet.
Thus it can easily suck air. Sucked air then passes through rotor blades and increases the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant.
What Is Inverter Compressor?
Inverter compressors can be rotary or reciprocating compressors. These compressors use a variable-speed motor instead of a fixed-speed motor.
The inverter compressor uses a variable frequency drive to control the speed of the compressor motor.
If you are confused between a traditional reciprocating compressor vs an inverter compressor, you should always go for an inverter compressor as it offers up to 30-50% power saving.
Conclusion: Reciprocating Vs Rotary Compressor
Depending on the specific needs of the consumers, we can say that if you want to cool a large area, then a rotary compressor is for you.
Conversely, if your only requirement is to keep your house, small office, or shop cool, reciprocating air compressors are more suitable.
Do you still have any doubts? Please write in the comment section, and I will be happy to respond.
