AC Drives and Compressors

Mauri Peltola

AC Drives and Compressors 6.97.Page 1

Compressor or blower?
Definition of the compressor :
• Compression ratio is equal or higher than 2 or
p2/p1 > 2

p2

p1

AC Drives and Compressors 6.97.Page 2

Main application areas

•Air compression
•Refrigeration
•Chillers
•Heat pumps

AC Drives and Compressors 6.97.Page 3

 Main compressor types

Compressors

Static compression Kinetic compression

Piston Rotary Axial Radial

compressors compressors

Piston Membrance Screw Lamel

compressos compressors compressors compressors

AC Drives and Compressors 6.97.Page 4

Load torque of compressors
Static compression =
“Constant Torque” in proportion to the speed but variable
during a rotation
Very variable with a piston compressor , but also variable
with a screw compressor
Only one case with a piston compressor? Vibration is a big
problem. BEWARE!

Kinetic compression =
“Variable Torque” in proportion to the speed but the pull-out
torque may be high (friction)

AC Drives and Compressors 6.97.Page 5

Chiller Compressors

Supply air cooling Direct cooling

+ +
ABB ABB Drives ACS 500
+ +
ABB ABB Drives ACS 500

1
+ +

+ +

Air flow

Water flow
4
Refrigerant flow
+ +
ABB ABB Drives ACS 500

Heat exchanger
+ +
ABB ABB Drives ACS 500

3 +
ABB ABB Drives ACS 500
+
Control valve
+ +

2 1 Supply air fan

+ +

2
+ +
ABB ABB Drives ACS 500

+ +
2 Cooling compressor

3 Cooling air fan

+ + 3
4 Circulation pump for
direct cooling system

AC Drives and Compressors 6.97.Page 6

Cooling Compressor
Direct Expansion System, Air Cooled Condensing
Heat exchanger

Outside
air
T
Filter Supply air fan

Receiver

Compressor +
ABB ABB Drives ACS 500
+ +
ABB ABB Drives ACS 500
+

Condenser

+ + + +
Measurement
T = temperature
p = pressure

AC Drives and Compressors 6.97.Page 7

Example of Centrifugal Cooling Compressor
Frequency
converter
n
ABB ABB Drives

4 to 20 mA Logic controller
4 to 20 mA and panel
A
Vane 4 to 20 mA
control Measurement
T = temperature
p p = pressure
dp = pressure difference
On/off
p 4 to 20 mA
T

Power
supply Condenser Cooling tower water

dp T T

Evaporator Cold water supply to air cooling

Water return from air cooling

AC Drives and Compressors 6.97.Page 8

Power Consumption of Compressors
Power %

120

100

80

AC drive
60
Inlet vanes

40

20

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 Flow %

AC Drives and Compressors 6.97.Page 9