AIR COMPRESSOR
DEFINITION- It is a device/machine which adds an energy to the air by reducing its
volume and increase in pressure is called the AIR COMPRESSOR.
VARIOUS DRIVES TO AIR COMPRESSOR-
1. ELECTRIC MOTOR-
a. Belt drive b. Direct coupled
2. ENGINE DRIVE
a. Belt drive b. Direct coupled
USE OF COMPRESSED AIR ON BOARD: -
1. Starting of main & Auxiliary engine.
2. Operating of ships whistle.
3. Lifting Gears.
4. Torque wrenches.
5. Drilling machines.
6. Cleaning purposes.
7. Spray painting.
8. Charging of breathing apparatus.
CLASSIFICATION OF AIR COMPRESSOR
Reciprocating type
1. Single acting
2. Double acting
3. Single acting
4. Multistage
Rotary
1. Vane type
2. Screw type
3. Roots blower
PARTS OF RECIPROCATING TYPE AIR COMPRESSOR
1. Air filter
2. Inlet & outlet valve (L.P. & H.P.)
3. Piston with rings (plunger)
4. Gudgeon pin
5. Cylinder
6. Connecting rod
7. Crank pin bearing
8. Crank shaft
9. Relief valve
10.Air cooler
11.Air cooler drain valve
12.Crankcase
13.Bursting disc
14.Explosion door
15.Air receiver
SAFETY DEVICES FITTED ON AIR COMPRESSOR
1.Relief valve- Each stage pressure side fitted with relief valve to lift off, when
ever pressure rises 10% higher than working pressure.
2. Bursting disc- Each inter cooler is fitted with a bursting disc on the water side to
protect inter cooler in case of tube failure.
3. Crankcase Explosion door- Compressor with crankcase volume of 0.6 mtr cu or
more fitted with crankcase explosion doors similar to that of main engines to
avoid crankcase explosion.
4. Lube oil pressure- In case lube oil pressure comes down less than 1.5 bar
compressor gets stop.
5.Air receiver- It is seamless cylinder in which compressed air under pressure from
compressor is stored and utilized as and when required to use.
SAFETY DEVICES FITED ON AIR RECEIVER
1. Relief valve: - It is fitted to relieve the excess compressed air discharged to
the air receiver after the present air pressure has been reached to required
pressure.
2. Fusible plug:- The fusible plug melts, when ever air temperature in the air
receiver reaches to 150 degree C and above. And discharge of this plug is
fitted to a pipe, which is led to a space outside the engine room, And is
fitted to avoid explosion of receiver in case of engine room fire.
3. Atmospheric air release valve:- This valve is fitted some times in addition to
the fusible plug, so that in case of an engine room fire when co2 flooding is
required this valve should be opened before evacuating the engine room.
So as to safety release the air to the atmosphere outside the engine room.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS TO BE OBSERVED WHILE USING
COMPRESED AIR: -
1. All valves to be opened slowly that is to crack open first and then open so as
to avoid rapid pressure increase which could result in an explosion.
2. Air bottles are required to drain at regular intervals when they are filled and
also at other times, specially before opening any one of the outlet valve, to
avoid the accumulation of condensed moisture.
3. Never temper with the setting of any one of the safety devices.
4. The drain fitted on the air side of each inter cooler should be used at
regular interval during operation of the compressor, Also they should
opened before starting and stopping of compressor.
5. When compressed air is used the pressure should be kept no higher than is
necessary to undertake the work satisfactory.
6. In no circumstances should compressed air be directed to persons body.
7. Stop leakage of compressed air by closing any nearest air valve.
PROCEDURE OF STARTING AND STOPPING COMPRESSOR
STARTING CHECKS: -
1. Check the air bottle pressure & drain the air bottle for any moisture.
2. Open air bottle filling valve.
3. Open compressor air discharge valve.
4. Check compressor sump oil level.
5. Open compressor air cooler cooling water inlet and outlet valve.
6. Purge out cooling water area – jacket etc.
7. Open drain valves on every stage.
8. Crank compressor by hand a couple of time.
9. Make sure compressor body is free from any foreign material.
10. Start compressor.
RUNNING CHECKS
1.Close air cooler each stage drains valves starting from 1st stage.
2. Check compressor lubricating oil pressure & and cooling water pressure.
3. Drain each stage cooler & air bottle at regular interval of 05 minutes.
4. Check crankcase & stage coolers for overheating.
5.Check for any abnormal sound.
6. Check the air pressure and temperature of air receiver and every stage of
compressor.
STOPPING PROCEDURE: -
1. When air bottles attend the required pressure open the air cooler drain
valve of 3rd stage.
2. Stop the compressor.
3. Close compressor outlet valve.
4. Close bottle inlet valve.
5. Drain air bottle to remove any condensate.
6. Shut cooling water inlet & outlet valves after air compressor has cooled
down.
7. Check all valves are in their correct position.
NOTE: - It is not a good practice to keep the cooling water valves open all
the time because this gives rise to seizure problems.
