Types of Air Compressor

When purchasing one or a group of air compressors, you need to consider a variety of factors, including power, maintenance costs, compressed air quality and service life.

Main types of air compressors in the current air compressor market

1. Reciprocating air compressor

Reciprocating air compressors achieve gas compression through the reciprocating motion of the piston in the cylinder, and are mainly composed of cylinder body, crankshaft, connecting rod, piston rod and other components. It includes three stages: suction, compression and exhaust: when the piston moves downward, the cylinder volume increases, and air enters through the valve; when the piston moves upward, the cylinder volume decreases, and the compressed air is cooled and separated after reaching the set pressure.


Features of reciprocating air compressors
Wide pressure range, high thermal efficiency, but high maintenance cost and high working noise.

Application of reciprocating air compressors
Generally used in high-pressure, intermittent gas use scenarios, such as construction sites, etc.

2. Centrifugal air compressors

Centrifugal air compressors are a type of equipment that compresses gas through high-speed rotating impellers, and are used for industrial gas compression and transportation. Its core structure consists of a rotor and a stator. When working, the impeller rotates at high speed to generate centrifugal force, throwing the gas into the diffuser to convert it into pressure energy, and then through multi-stage compression to reach the required pressure.

Characteristics of centrifugal air compressors
It can supply air stably, with high speed and fast response, but it occupies a large area and has a high price.

Application of centrifugal air compressors
Mostly used in large industrial scenes

3. Screw air compressors
Screw air compressors are a type of positive displacement compressor that achieves gas compression through the meshing of screw rotors. They are divided into single screw and twin screw. The core component is a pair of intermeshing yin and yang rotors. Through rotation, the volume between the teeth changes periodically to complete the suction, compression and exhaust.

Characteristics of screw air compressors
Simple and compact structure, low maintenance cost, stable exhaust volume, low working noise, more energy-saving and environmentally friendly than reciprocating air compressors, and longer life than centrifugal air compressors.


Airfler combines advanced German technology to independently develop screw air compressors that are intelligent and efficient, stable in operation, and have a warranty period of up to 3 years. Airfler's screw air compressors have been widely praised by customers since their launch and have become the first choice for customers to update and upgrade their factory air compressor equipment.