Compressed Air technology
Reciprocating
Pistons. Simple, robust, intermittent duty.
Schematic section, not to scale
How it works
Reciprocating (piston) compressors compress air with pistons in cylinders. They are common in smaller shops, service trucks and high-pressure applications.
A crankshaft drives pistons; air enters on the down-stroke and is compressed and discharged on the up-stroke, often in two stages with intercooling.
Performance range
Fractional to ~30 hp typical; higher pressures available in multi-stage designs
Typical industry range. Exact capability is model specific, see each model’s curve.
In the catalogue · 2,097 models from 25 manufacturers
- Motor power
- 0.373 – 900 kW · 1,707 models
- Weight
- 0.155 – 10,000 kg · 1,681 models
- Free air delivery
- 0.18 – 6,000 m³/h · 1,394 models
- Max. pressure
- 0.345 – 525 bar · 1,306 models
- Noise level
- 50 – 87 dB(A) · 274 models
- Max. vacuum
- 17 – 29.5 inHg · 79 models
Spread of each model’s own rated figure, as published by its manufacturer.
Advantages & tradeoffs
- Low purchase cost
- Simple to service
- High pressure capability
- Duty-cycle limits
- Noise and vibration
- Lower efficiency for continuous demand
Best applications
Maintenance
Oil changes (lubricated), valve and ring service, belt tension, drain care.
Energy characteristics
Specific-energy comparisons (kW per unit of flow at your operating point) appear here as sourced performance curves are added. Until then, compare models directly on the Performance Map.
Open the Performance Map