Compressor Types
Christos Chourpouliadis
Sales Engineer
Key Accounts & Vertical Markets
Copyright© Carrier
Copyright © Carrier Corp.
Corp. 2022
2005
Presentation Contents
Section 1 Introduction – Fundamentals and Definitions
Section 2 Compressor Categories
Open Compressors
Hermetic Compressors
Section 3 Compressor Types
Rotary Compressors
Scroll Compressors
Screw Compressors
Centrifugal Compressors
Reciprocating Compressors
Section 4 Compressor Applications
Section 5 Summary
Copyright © Carrier
Copyright© CarrierCorp.
Corp.2005
2022
Section 1
Compressor Types
Fundamentals & Definitions
Copyright © Carrier
Copyright© CarrierCorp.
Corp.2005
2022
Definitions
▪ Air Conditioning is defined as the process of
regulating the temperature, humidity, movement
and purity of the air in a room.
▪ Air conditioned air can be used for human
comfort (comfort cooling) or for industrial
processes (process cooling).
Copyright© Carrier Corp. 2022
Copyright © Carrier Corp. 2005 Section 1 – Fundamentals & Definitions
Definitions
▪ Cooling is the process of removing heat from the air of
a room in order to drop the temperature or keep it
within certain limits.
▪ Mechanical Cooling or Refrigeration is defined as the
process of using a volatile liquid to absorb heat from a
lower temperature room, so that, when we increase its
pressure and temperature, it can be discharged into a
higher temperature room.
Copyright© Carrier Corp. 2022
Copyright © Carrier Corp. 2005 Section 1 – Fundamentals & Definitions
Definitions
▪ Compression is the process of increasing the pressure
of a gas by reducing its volume.
▪ Compressor is the mechanical device that performs the
specific process.
▪ Positive Displacement Compressors suck a distinct
volume of gas at their inlet (suction) which is forced
out of their outlet (discharge) by the displacement of
a mechanical device.
Copyright© Carrier Corp. 2022
Copyright © Carrier Corp. 2005 Section 1 – Fundamentals & Definitions
Basic Positive Displacement Cycle
Metering
Device
Compressor
Filter Evaporator
Drier (Indoor Coil)
Condenser
(Outdoor Coil)
Liquid
Line
Copyright © Carrier
Copyright© CarrierCorp.
Corp.2005
2022 Section 1 – Fundamentals & Definitions
The Compressor in the Refrigerant Cycle
The Heart of
Refrigeration
Copyright © Carrier Corp. 2005 Section 1 – Fundamentals & Definitions
Basic Positive Displacement Cycle
High-Pressure
Side
3. Heat rejecting section
4. Pressure/
flow control 2. Vapor
valve pump
Low-Pressure
Side
1. Heat absorbing section
Copyright © Carrier
Copyright© CarrierCorp.
Corp.2005
2022 Section 1 – Fundamentals & Definitions
Basic System on the Ph Diagram
Subcooled
Liquid
Superheated
Vapor
Pressure
Mixed
Phase
Enthalpy
Copyright © Carrier
Copyright© CarrierCorp.
Corp.2005
2022 Section 1 – Fundamentals & Definitions
Direct Expansion (DX) System
Exhaust Return
Damper Air Fan Solar
Return Duct
RA
Supply Duct Grille
Supply
Return Air Fan HEAT
Damper
35° C
Outdoor Air
Damper
Evaporator
Coil Condenser
Expansion
Device
Compressor
Copyright © Carrier
Copyright© CarrierCorp.
Corp.2005
2022 Section 1 – Fundamentals & Definitions
Indirect Refrigeration System
Exhaust Return
Damper Air Fan Solar
Return Duct
RA
Supply Duct Grille
Supply
Return Air Fan HEAT
Damper
35° C
Cooling
Tower
Outdoor Air
Damper
Chilled-Water
Coil Condenser
Evaporator
Expansion
Device Condenser Water
Chilled-Water
Pump Pump
Copyright © Carrier
Copyright© CarrierCorp.
Corp.2005
2022 Section 1 – Fundamentals & Definitions
Section 2
Compressor Types
Compressor Categories
Copyright© Carrier Corp. 2022
Copyright © Carrier Corp. 2005
Compressor Designations
• Open Compressor
• Hermetic Compressor
▪ Semi-hermetic compressor
▪ Welded hermetic
Copyright © Carrier
Copyright© CarrierCorp.
Corp.2005
2022 Section 2 – Compressor Categories
Open Compressors
▪ Open Type Compressors
• External drive motor
• Connection with straps, pulleys or
flexible couplings
• Mainly for cars and ships air-
conditioning applications
• Disassembly ability
• Large volume and weight,
difficulty of sealing, increased
noise and cost.
Copyright © Carrier Corp. 2005 Section 2 – Compressor Categories
Hermetic Compressors
▪ Hermetic Type Compressors
• Drive motor inside the shell
• Shaft sealing is not required
• Motor cooling is provided by the
refrigerant
• Classified further as semi-
hermetic or welded hermetic
compressors
Copyright© Carrier Corp. 2022 Section 2 – Compressor Categories
Copyright © Carrier Corp. 2005
Semi-Hermetic Compressors
▪ Semi-Hermetic Type Compressors
• Drive motor inside the shell
• The shell can be disassembled with
screws
• Air-cooled with cooling fins outside
the shell
• Lubrication with oil pump (high
capacity) or lubricant injection system
(low capacity)
• Relatively small size and cost
compared to open type compressors.
Copyright© Carrier Corp. 2022 Section 2 – Compressor Categories
Copyright © Carrier Corp. 2005
Welded Hermetic Compressors
▪ Welded Hermetic Type Compressors
• Hermetically sealed casing
• No possibility of disassembly
• Cooling with refrigerant suction
• Lubrication with oil pump
• Low cost, small size and weight, small
chances of leaks, quiet operation with
minimal vibrations
Copyright© Carrier Corp. 2022 Section 2 – Compressor Categories
Copyright © Carrier Corp. 2005
Section 3
Compressor Types
Copyright© Carrier Corp. 2022
Copyright © Carrier Corp. 2005
Compressor Types
Rotary
Positive
Scroll
Displacement
Screw
Reciprocating
Dynamics Centrifugal
Copyright © Carrier
Copyright© CarrierCorp.
Corp.2005
2022 Section 3 – Compressor Types
Rotary Compressors
A “Rolling Piston” A “Sliding Vane”
Rotary Compressor Rotary Compressor
Discharge
Discharge
Sliding Vane
Suction Suction
Section 5 – Compressor Types
Copyright © Carrier Corp. 2005 Section 3 – Compressor Types
Rotary Compressor Operation Principle
Suction
Accumulator
Sliding Vane Rolling Piston
(Not Visible)
Copyright © Carrier
Copyright© CarrierCorp.
Corp.2005
2022 Section 3 – Compressor Types
Rotary Compressors Suction Stroke
Discharge Rolling
Valve Piston
Sliding
Vane Housing
Copyright © Carrier
Copyright© CarrierCorp.
Corp.2005
2022 Section 3 – Compressor Types
Rotary Compressors Discharge Stroke
Discharge Rolling
Valve Piston
Sliding
Vane Housing
Copyright © Carrier
Copyright© CarrierCorp.
Corp.2005
2022 Section 3 – Compressor Types
Rotary Compressor Construction
Discharge Tube
Suction Tube Electrical Power Connection
with Pressure Relief
High-Side Shell
Motor Stator
Lower Shell
Housing Eccentric Shaft
Accumulator Motor Rotor
Upper Pump Bearing
Discharge Valve Muffler
Vane Cylinder
Rolling Piston
Lower Pump Bearing
Sliding Vane
(Not Visible) Oil Pump
Copyright © Carrier
Copyright© CarrierCorp.
Corp.2005
2022 Section 3 – Compressor Types
Rotary Compressor Capacity Control
▪ Inverter driven rotary
compressors
▪ Dual piston - Twin rotary
inverter compressors
▪ Triple piston –Triple rotary
inverter compressors with
capacity up to 56 kW
Copyright© Carrier Corp. 2022 Section 3 – Compressor Types
Copyright © Carrier Corp. 2005
Rotary Compressor Advantages
▪ Low noise operation with low
vibration levels
▪ High energy efficiency, especially in
part load operation
▪ Immediate response to load changes
▪ Compact dimensions and weight
▪ Few moving components
Copyright© Carrier Corp. 2022 Section 3 – Compressor Types
Copyright © Carrier Corp. 2005
Scroll Compressors
Copyright©
Copyright © Carrier Corp.
Carrier Corp. 2022
2005 Section 3 – Compressor Types
Scroll Compressor Operation
SUCTION COMPRESSION DISHARGE
Copyright© CarrierCorp.
Copyright © Carrier Corp. 2022
2005 Section 3 – Compressor Types
Scroll Compressor Construction
1. Discharge Tube
2. Discharge Plenum
(Hidden) 3. Check Valve
4. Fixed Scroll
5. Orbiting Scroll
6. Crankcase
7. Counterweight
8. Electric Terminal
9. Eccentric Shaft
10. Shell
11. Rotor
12. Stator
13. Thrust Washer
14. Internal Pressure Relief Valve
15. Suction Baffle
16. Suction Tube
17. Lower Bearing
18. Oil Tube
Copyright © Carrier
Copyright© CarrierCorp.
Corp.2005
2022 Section 3 – Compressor Types
Scroll Compressor Performance
Copyright © Carrier Corp. 2005 Section 3 – Compressor Types
Scroll Compressor Advantages
▪ There is no need for valves
▪ Continuous gas flow
▪ Low noise and vibration
levels
▪ Few moving components
▪ Less susceptible in liquid
refrigerant suction
▪ Wear don’t affect their
performance
Copyright© Carrier Corp. 2022
Copyright © Carrier Corp. 2005 Section 3 – Compressor Types
Scroll Compressor Capacity Control
Multiple scroll compressors on
independent circuits or piped in
tandem
Control by inverter driven motors
Copyright© Carrier Corp. 2022
Copyright © Carrier Corp. 2005 Section 3 – Compressor Types
Screw Compressors
Copyright© Carrier Corp. 2022 Section 3 – Compressor Types
Copyright © Carrier Corp. 2005
Screw Compressor Operation
Discharge
Compression Suction
Suction Suction
Suction
Discharge
Discharge Discharge
Copyright © Carrier
Copyright© CarrierCorp.
Corp.2005
2022 Section 3 – Compressor Types
Screw Compressor Operation
Legend
Check Valve
Backseating Service Valve
with Refrigerant Port
TXV (Thermal Expansion Valve)
EXV (Electronic Expansion Valve)
Muffler
Oil Pump (External)
Service Valve
Solenoid Valve
Strainer Filter Drier
Section 5 – Compressor Types
Copyright © Carrier Corp. 2005 Section 3 – Compressor Types
Screw Compressor Construction
Internal
Motor Terminal Box Oil Solenoid Oil Filter
Discharge
Male Rotor
Female Rotor
Oil Pressure
Transducer High
Pressure
Switch
Unloader
Transmission Suction Solenoids
Suction Condenser
Subcooler
Port
Discharge
Oil Pressure
Volume Control Solenoid
Transducer
Liquid Injection Port
Copyright © Carrier
Copyright© CarrierCorp.
Corp.2005
2022 Section 3 – Compressor Types
Screw Capacity Control Methods
SLIDE VALVE METHOD PORT VALVE METHOD
Infinite Capacity Control Stepped Capacity Control
Slide Valve Step Valves
Copyright © Carrier
Copyright© CarrierCorp.
Corp.2005
2022 Section 3 – Compressor Types
Screw Compressor Advantages
▪ Continuous gas flow
▪ Few moving components
▪ No problem from liquid
refrigerant drops
▪ Capacity control with sliding
valve
▪ High discharge pressures
▪ No danger from inflow or return
of liquid refrigerant
Copyright© Carrier Corp. 2022 Section 3 – Compressor Types
Copyright © Carrier Corp. 2005
Centrifugal Compressor
Motor Compressor
Copyright © Carrier
Copyright© CarrierCorp.
Corp.2005
2022 Section 3 – Compressor Types
Centrifugal Compressor Operation
Copyright © Carrier Corp. 2005 Section 3 – Compressor Types
Centrifugal Compressor Construction
Refrigerant Cooling Transmission High Speed
Shaft
Impeller
Inlet
Hermetic Guide
Housing Vanes
Low Speed
Shaft
Electric Motor
Rotor
Oil Filter
Oil Pump
Copyright © Carrier
Copyright© CarrierCorp.
Corp.2005
2022
Centrifugal Compressor Map
100%
75%
50%
25%
Head Factor
Stone Wall
Load line
plotted on
compressor map
Flow Factor
Copyright © Carrier
Copyright© CarrierCorp.
Corp.2005
2022 Section 3 – Compressor Types
Centrifugal Compressor Efficiency Characteristics
Constant Speed Centrifugal
90%
Efficiency 80%
70%
60%
Lift
Open Vanes
50% Vanes
25% Vanes
10% Vanes
Capacity (Tons)
Copyright © Carrier
Copyright© CarrierCorp.
Corp.2005
2022 Section 3 – Compressor Types
Centrifugal Compressor Capacity Control
Guide Inlet
Vane Guide
Motor Vanes
Inlet
Shroud
Impeller
Copyright © Carrier
Copyright© CarrierCorp.
Corp.2005
2022 Section 3 – Compressor Types
Centrifugal Compressor Capacity Control
Inlet
Guide
Vanes
Closed
Copyright© Carrier Corp. 2022 Section 3 – Compressor Types
Copyright © Carrier Corp. 2005
Centrifugal Compressor Capacity Control
Variable Speed
Copyright© Carrier Corp. 2022
Copyright © Carrier Corp. 2005 Section 3 – Compressor Types
Centrifugal Compressor Advantages
▪ Very high energy efficiencies
▪ Combined ideally with the new
low GWP environmentally friendly
refrigerants
▪ High capacity up to 4.000 RT
Copyright© Carrier Corp. 2022 Section 3 – Compressor Types
Copyright © Carrier Corp. 2005
Reciprocating Compressors
06D Semi-Hermetic Compressor
Motor
Reciprocating
Piston
Motor
Reciprocating
Piston
Section 5 – Compressor Types
Copyright © Carrier Corp. 2005 Section 3 – Compressor Types
Reciprocating Compressor Operation
Copyright© Carrier Corp. 2022 Section 3 – Compressor Types
Copyright © Carrier Corp. 2005
Reciprocating Compressors Construction
06D Semi-Hermetic Compressor
Head
Head Gasket
Discharge
Port Crankcase Pressure
Piston Valve Plate Equalizing Tube
Gasket
Valve Plate
Connecting Rod Spinner Tube
Rings Assembly
Oil Pressure
Tap Crankshaft
Suction
Port
Bearing Head
Oil Pump Main Suction
Assembly Oil Pressure Bearings Rotor
Regulator Inlet Screen
Oil Galley
Oil Drain Oil Return Stator
Check Valve
Oil Pickup Tube Crankcase Oil Sump
and Screen Heater Port
Section 5 – Compressor Types
Copyright © Carrier Corp. 2005 Section 3 – Compressor Types
Section 4
Compressor Types
Compressors Applications
Copyright© Carrier Corp. 2022
Copyright © Carrier Corp. 2005
Rotary Compressor Applications
Residential Split Units Residential Multi Split Units
Portable Units Dehumidifiers
Copyright© Carrier Corp. 2022 Section 4 – Compressor Applications
Copyright © Carrier Corp. 2005
Rotary Compressor Applications
Light-Commercial Units Residential Air-to-water
Heat Pumps
Copyright© Carrier Corp. 2022 Section 4 – Compressor Applications
Copyright © Carrier Corp. 2005
Scroll Compressor Applications
Air-Cooled Chillers and Heat Pumps
Small Capacity Applications
Medium Capacity Applications
Large Capacity Applications
Copyright© Carrier Corp. 2022 Section 4 – Compressor Applications
Copyright © Carrier Corp. 2005
Scroll Compressor Applications
Packaged Air-to-Air Rooftop Units
Copyright© Carrier Corp. 2022 Section 4 – Compressor Applications
Copyright © Carrier Corp. 2005
Scroll Compressor Applications
Water-Cooled Chillers and Heat Pumps
Copyright© Carrier Corp. 2022 Section 4 – Compressor Applications
Copyright © Carrier Corp. 2005
Scroll Compressor Applications
Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) Systems
Copyright© Carrier Corp. 2022 Section 4 – Compressor Applications
Copyright © Carrier Corp. 2005
Screw Compressor Applications
Air-cooled Chillers with capacity up
to 500 kW
Air-cooled Chillers with capacity up
to 1.700 kW
Copyright© Carrier Corp. 2022
Copyright © Carrier Corp. 2005 Section 4 – Compressor Applications
Screw Compressor Applications
Water-cooled Chillers from
270 up to 1,750 kW
Water-cooled Heat Machines from
200 to 2,500 kW
Copyright© Carrier Corp. 2022 Section 4 – Compressor Applications
Copyright © Carrier Corp. 2005
Centrifugal Compressor Applications
Water-cooled Chillers with Single-
stage Centrifugal Compressors
Water-cooled Chillers with Dual-stage
Centrifugal Compressors
Copyright© CarrierCorp.
Copyright © Carrier Corp. 2022
2005 Section 4 – Compressor Applications
Reciprocating Compressor Applications
Refrigeration Applications
Copyright© Carrier Corp. 2022 Section 4 – Compressor Applications
Copyright © Carrier Corp. 2005
Section 5
Compressor Types
Summary
Copyright© Carrier Corp. 2022
Copyright © Carrier Corp. 2005
Summary
▪ Introduction with fundamentals and definitions
▪ Positive displacement cycle and compressor
▪ Refrigerant cycle and pressure-enthalpy diagram
▪ Compressor categories: open, semi-hermetic and hermetic
▪ Compressor types, operation principles, construction and
capacity control
Rotary Compressors
Scroll Compressors
Screw Compressors
Centrifugal Compressors
Reciprocating Compressors
▪ HVAC compressor applications
Copyright© CarrierCorp.
Copyright © Carrier Corp. 2022
2005 Section 5 – Summary
Compressor Types
Thank You Very Much!
Christos Chourpouliadis
[email protected]
Copyright© Carrier Corp. 2022
Copyright © Carrier Corp. 2005
