How a gas air compressor works is a frequently asked question, especially among beginners. Gas air compressors use gasoline to mediate the compression systems. A gas air compressor has a few unique components despite the shared similarities with other compressors.
During your search for a gas air compressor, you will find several brands and models. Unfortunately, this can be quite overwhelming. Luckily, reading this post will help you understand how a gas air compressor works, which limits the risk of falling for misleading ads and unrealistic claims.
How Does a Gas Air Compressor Work?
While each gas air compressor brand offers some variations to stand out, all machines share two components – a gas engine and an air end.
The second component works by compressing air, which is drawn from the atmosphere. The gradual compression of the molecules within the air will compact everything into a smaller space.
Depending on whether you get a rotary screw or reciprocating compressor, you will either find rotors or pistons in the compressor.
For any of this to be possible, the air compressor requires energy to increase the pressure.
Enter – Gas-powered air compressors.
The burning of gasoline converts the potential energy into kinetic (i.e., motion) energy that ends up moving the rotors or pistons.
To make things easier for you, look at the chart below (an example of a piston):
The roles of different components of a gas air compressor
Most gas air compressors share the vast majority of components. However, what differentiates each brand is the arrangement of different pieces. This is why gas air compressors have unique designs.
Note that the quality and arrangement of components play a crucial role in a gas air compressor’s robustness and expiration date.
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To better understand how a gas air compressor works, it’s useful to look at each component separately.
The table below explains the purpose of each component of a gas air compressor:
| Component | Purpose |
| Electronic key switch | A button to turn on and off the system |
| Fuel supply | Supplies the gas engine with fuel with the help of a carburetor |
| Engine | Transfers energy from the combustion engine to the air compressor (using a belt and pulleys) |
| Engine throttle control | Controls the output of the engine depending on air demand |
| Fuel tank | A reservoir for gasoline |
| Lifting hook | Offers a safe spot for a crane or hoist to attach when putting up or taking down the system |
| Air end | Compresses air |
| Unloader | Lowers sound levels and engine load. It also decreases fuel use |
| Coalescing filter | Filters oil mist |
| Oil filter | Removes dust and other contaminants |
| Compressor air filter | Aids in filtering out small particles in the air |
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The Four stokes of a gas air compressor
Similar to your car’s combustion engine, the gas air compressor uses the four-stoke technology to convert potential energy into kinetic energy.
The four strokes are:
- Intake stroke
- Compression stroke
- Expansion stroke (i.e., power stroke)
- Exhaust stroke
During operation, the gas engine within your air compressor will repeat these four strokes continuously. To benefit from the energy produced by the gas engine, manufacturers use a drivetrain to connect the air compressor to the gas engine. You may come across the term ‘powertrain,’ which refers to the gas engine and the drivetrain.
That’s all you need to know about how energy is produced within a gas air compressor. However, if you are into the nitty-gritty details (like me), check out the following sections:
1. Intake stroke
During this phase, gasoline and air enter the compression chamber after the intake valve opens up. To monitor and control how much fuel and air get into the chamber, a carburetor is used.
Simultaneously, the piston lowers, sucking up the mixture of gasoline and air into the cylinder.
2. Compression stroke
After the intake stroke, the intake valve closes, and the piston compresses the mixture inside the cylinder. This reduces the volume within the cylinder. The final step of this phase involves a spark released by a spark plug.
3. Expansion stroke
As the spark ignites the fuel and air, the mixture combusts, creating a mini-explosion. As a result, the piston gets pushed to the bottom of the cylinder.
Note that the process of combustion is what transforms the potential energy stored within gasoline into kinetic energy to power the gas air compressor.
4. Exhaust stroke
This step revolves around removing the natural byproducts that stem from combustion. During this phase, the exhaust valve releases these byproducts with the help of the piston.
How to cool a gas air compressor
As the energy generated by the gas engine turns into motion, a substantial portion will be released as heat. In automobile vehicles, a coolant (i.e., antifreeze) is indispensable to prevent the engine from overheating. The same applies to gas air compressors.
Manufacturers may also use the following mechanisms to release the excess heat:
- Heat exchange (e.g., liquid to liquid, air to liquid) – mostly used in rotary screw air compressors
- Natural air convection – mostly used in reciprocating air compressors
The role of oil filters in gas air compressors
The purpose of oil filters is to prevent tiny metals, dirt, and dust from reaching the air compressor oil. Eventually, this protects the gas air compressor from degenerating. In fact, experts suggest that changing your oil filter regularly will significantly extend the gas air compressor’s shelf life.
Additionally, coalescing filters ensure that no oil mist is released with the compressed air stream. By recycling the oil mist into the system, it stops the oil from reaching the air components.
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Note that not all gas air compressors rely on oil to lubricate the components. It is still, however, very common in rotary screw gas air compressors.
Takeaway message
Understanding how does a gas air compressor work is essential to making an informed decision before purchasing one. If you already own this machine, learning about its mechanical intricacies will also help you with maintenance.
We hope that this article managed to thoroughly explain how does a gas air compressor work and the steps to take in order to extend its life.
If you own a gas air compressor and want to share your experience with us, please feel free to do so in the comment section below.
