Refrigeration compressors include reciprocating, screw, scroll, and centrifugal types. Each varies in design, efficiency, and application. Reciprocating suits small systems, screw handles large loads, scroll is ideal for commercial use, and centrifugal excels in large-scale cooling.
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Refrigeration compressors come in various types, each suited for specific applications. The four most common types are reciprocating, screw, scroll, and centrifugal compressors. They differ in design, working principles, and efficiency levels.
Key Differences Between Compressor Types：
Each type offers unique advantages depending on the operational requirements, energy efficiency, and maintenance needs.
Each refrigeration compressor type has strengths and weaknesses that impact its suitability for different applications.
(1) Reciprocating Compressors¹
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
(2) Screw Compressors²
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
(3) Scroll Compressors
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
(4) Centrifugal Compressors
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
The right refrigeration compressor type depends on the industry’s cooling requirements, energy efficiency demands, and operational scale.
(1) Industries Using Reciprocating Compressors:
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(2) Industries Using Screw Compressors
(3) Industries Using Scroll Compressors
(4) Industries Using Centrifugal Compressors
Choosing the right compressor depends on cooling needs, budget, and operational efficiency requirements.
Understanding the differences between refrigeration compressor types helps in selecting the most suitable one for specific applications. Factors like efficiency, maintenance, and cooling capacity play a crucial role in decision-making.
To understand the scroll compressor’s advantages and disadvantages, you must first have a general understanding of compressors. While every type of compressor is unique, the basic principles stay the same. First, a gas or electric motor provides energy to push air into the compression chamber of the device. Next, the compression chamber squeezes’ air into a desired volume before discharging it for use in various applications.
Scroll compressors are an example of the positive displacement compressors. Positive displacement compressors operate by vacuuming air into a chamber before compressing the air. Everything from industrial machines to food and beverage manufacturing processes use the pressured stream of air that is produced. Scroll compressors also have many uses in air conditioning equipment and refrigeration units.
The inside of a scroll compressor holds two spiral “scrolls” that work in unison to compress the air that enters the machine. Scroll 1 is an immobile spiral that works as the compression site. At the same time scroll 2 is nestled inside of the immobile spiral, the crank shaft is moving it in a tense motion. As inner scroll orbits the inside of the immobile scroll, compression takes place. Since the design of this machine has a small number of individual pieces, scroll compressors are able to boast a high rate of reliability.
Scroll compressors distance themselves from the competition by being an oil-free alternative to other positive displacement compressors. For example, the rotary screw compressor is reliant on lubricants like oil to avoid wear and tear in use. Having to rely on oil creates the possibility for many issues to arise during the life span of the machine. However, with a scroll compressor, you have one less thing to worry about when compressing air.
At Rasmussen Mechanical, we know that it’s important to understand the pros and cons of a product before you place it in your facility. Below are some of the scroll compressor’s advantages and disadvantages to aid in deciding if it is compatible with your business.
One of the largest threats to any piece of compression equipment is the presence of excessive waste build up. Waste buildup has the potential to halt the performance of a device, leading to expensive repairs and wasted time. The scroll compressor almost guarantees that every ounce of the air that enters the scrolls, leaves the compression area. The orbital movement assures that all particles become diminished as compression finishes.
The scroll’s simple design allows it to operate at an audible volume that is hardly noticeable. The absence of high vibration rates leads to an extremely low hum, rivaling the general decibel level of a library. Thanks to this, a scroll compressor holds more opportunities for installation in locations that require little to no background noise. And, as a direct result, businesses are able to forego purchasing expensive soundproofing equipment.
The presence of a pure design, paired with a high working efficiency, helps the scroll compressor save energy. A Purdue University study shows that the energy usage in scroll compressors are around 25% lower than that of reciprocating compressors. And because many businesses run compressors non-stop, a switch to scroll compressors could lower costs and raise profit margins.
Generally, compressors that employ an oil-free scroll mechanism are higher in price. Oil’s absence requires more precise, and in-depth, crafting during manufacturing in order to become self-sufficient.
Due to the design of the scroll compressor, when a malfunction happens the unit is not immediately serviceable. The area where compression happens has a hermetic sealing, giving it a secure and constant airtight barrier. The integrity of the pressure chamber becomes compromised if the casing is opened, causing further problems surrounding efficiency.
Rotary compressors are another type of positive displacement compressor. The standard rotary compressor uses a two helical rotary to compress air. Air is lured into the gap between the rotary and as the volume decreases, the air is pressurized. Different than the scroll, both screws in the rotary are able to spin, doing so in opposite directions. Rotary compressors work extremely well in large industrial applications, while the scroll compressor finds use in health facilities and science labs.
Gardner Denver further describes a rotary compressor as:
“Referred to generally as a twin screw compressor each rotor comprises of a set of helical lobes affixed to a shaft.
One rotor is called the male rotor and the other rotor is the female rotor. The number of lobes on the male rotor, and the number of flutes on the female, will vary from one compressor manufacturer to another. However, the female rotor will always have numerically more valleys (flutes) than the male rotor lobes for better efficiency
Male lobe acts like a continuous piston rolling down female flute which acts like a cylinder trapping air and reducing space continuously.”
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