Refrigeration compressors are a special type of compressors that are used in refrigeration, heat pumping and air conditioning applications. These compressors are large mechanical units that are used as the main component of industrial and large air conditioning systems. Small, portable compressors as well as compressors used in refrigerators used in home are excluded from this category.

The design of refrigeration compressors is based on the objective of converting low pressure gases into high pressure and high temperature gases. In addition to this objective, in technical terms, these compressors are used to maintain low boiling point. This objective is accomplished by removing vapour from the evaporator. Though these are available in different types, but there are three main types of these compressors. They are - screw compressor, scroll compressor and piston compressor.

In case of a screw compressor, the refrigerant vapours are passed through screw spindles. Each of the screw spindles compresses the gas intake. There are a number of refrigeration compressors that have a number of spindles. But, majority of screw compressors have only two screw spindles.

The second type of refrigeration compressors is called scroll compressors. There is much less leakage of refrigerants in case of scroll compressors and therefore they are more efficient in operation. Most of the refrigeration compressors available in the market are generally of this type.

The third type refrigeration compressors are known as piston compressors. These compressors compress refrigerants to much higher level and therefore, used mainly for commercial purpose. Because of their reciprocating action these compressors are also known as reciprocating compressors.

Although there are many other refrigeration compressors are available, the three types described are the main type available in the market. Other types of the compressor are less common and very rarely used.

Refrigeration compressors could also be classified according to the following:

1Number of cylinders

2Method of compression

3Type of drive

4Location of the driving force or motor

The method of compression used in a refrigeration compressor could be reciprocating, centrifugal or rotary. These compressors could also be classified depending on the location of the power source. Independent compressors are belt driven, Semi Hermetic compressors have direct drive with motor and compressor in separate housing and in case of Hermetic compressors they are in the same housing.

This will give some fundamental knowledge regarding refrigeration compressors. Such knowledge would help you in selecting good quality refrigeration compressors suitable for the desired application.