BOOSTER

COMPRESSOR
BOOSTER COMPRESSOR
A booster compressor is a type of compressor made to boost pressure in a
system, typically by four to six times the normal pressure produced by machines in
factories. Most factories that need a booster compressor only use this temporarily,
because sustaining such high pressure can be difficult and costly. While this can be
used to work a device, it more often is used for tests. Most of these compressors are
pneumatic, or use air, but some have other power sources.
Factories are where most booster compressor devices are found, because few
consumers need the high pressure and power these compressors can offer. Factories'
machines commonly are equipped to output about 100 pounds of pressure per square
inch (PSI) (6.89 bars), which is enough to run most devices, but not enough for some
other uses. When a higher PSI is required, these boosters are used, and they
commonly can output from 400 to 600 PSI (27.57 to 41.36 bars).
Most factories are capable of boosting their own PSI without needing a booster
compressor, but there are problems with this. A boost in PSI often requires a lot of
work to power up the equipment, and it costs much more to sustain the extra
pressure. This means this type of compressor makes it much easier to produce and
sustain higher-than-average pressures. While this drives down power costs, this
compressor is still commonly used on a temporary basis, because power costs can rise
if this compressor is on too long.
If a device, such as a nail gun or refrigerator, needs high pressure to work, then
a booster compressor can be used. At the same time, most devices do not require the
high pressure this type of compressor can make, and the high pressure may be
detrimental in terms of functionality; for example, a nail from a nail gun may shoot a
hole through the wall instead of simply being driven into the wall. For this reason, a
booster compressor is more often used to test presses, pneumatic lifts and other
devices based on pressure. Fittings and clamps that need to hold tight at certain
pressures also will be tested through this compressor.
The most common type of booster compressor is pneumatic, because this is
generally easy to use and only a relatively small amount of energy is needed. Other
common sources of power for this type of compressor include electric, diesel and
nitrogen. The other sources tend to use more power, and they usually need other
resources, so they are not as common as pneumatic systems.
Gas transmission through pipelines results in pressure drop because of friction
losses. Booster compressors are used to restore the pressure drop from these losses.
Selection of these compressors involves evaluating the economic trade-off of distance
between pipeline boosting stations and life-cycle cost of each compressor station.
Booster compressors also are used in fields that are experiencing pressure decline.
Most centrifugal pipeline booster compressors are gas turbine driven, although the use
of variable-speed motor drives is becoming more prevalent. Low-speed integral gas
engine reciprocating compressors also are used for gas transmission applications.
Booster compressors typically are designed for high throughput rates and low
compression ratio. Many booster applications can be configured in a single-stage
centrifugal compressor.