Reciprocating Vs Rotary Compressor in Air Conditioners(AC); Do these varying types even exist? Not surprisingly, quite a lot of people are not even aware of the difference between the two. Interestingly, this is about a home appliance which we use quite frequently at our homes; the air conditioner. The Air conditioner comprises four essential parts: the Condenser, the Compressor, the Evaporator coil, Expansion Valve, Refrigerant. Out of these, the compressor is considered to be the ‘heart’ of the machine. It is here that the ‘all-important’ process of cooling occurs. The basic Principle of the Air-Conditioner is based on the fact that it collects hot air from the space and processes it into the cold air, which is released into the room. But, the efficiency of the air conditioner depends upon the type of compressor used. So what is a Compressor type, and how does it affects the performance of the Air Conditioner? Let us find out:
Contents
Journey Of The Heat
Being called a ‘heart’ of an Air conditioner is a big deal. After all, it holds a great deal of importance for that. The Compressor of an Air Conditioner is the part that stays outside your home and does the cooling for you. As the name suggests, the compressor does its job by ‘compressing’ the gaseous refrigerant into the liquid form. So, how does this happens? Let us start from the beginning:
The basic principle applies the fact that the ‘air’ tends to travel from hot areas to cooler areas. However, the process of passage of the air is done ‘via a few channels’ to offer you cool air at the end of the cycle. So, the air is made to pass across the evaporator unit to extract the ‘heat’ from it. Thus, cooling it in the process. This ‘cool air’ is made to pass through the refrigerant and then finally to the compressor.
Inside The Compressor
Within the compressor, the real story of ‘cooling down’ occurs. However, the compressor is located inside the Condenser unit of the Air conditioner. It is here that the ‘chain reaction’ of cooling occurs. Once inside the compressor, the Refrigerant gas is ‘compressed’ into the fluid form of high pressures. This is when the refrigerant is at a higher temperature as compared to when it started. But, the heat is slowly dissipated across the ‘Condenser Coils.’ Towards the end of the coil, the refrigerant is cold enough and then enters the Evaporator Coil. This is the basic cycle, and it continues as long as the appliance is turned on. According to the design, the Compressors are of different types. We are going to discuss two major types: The Reciprocating Compressor and the Rotary Compressor.
What is a Reciprocating Air Conditioner(AC) Compressor?
This is a lot like a cylinder with a Piston attached, a lot like that in an automobile engine. The gas is compressed by the to-and-fro motion of the piston and, hence, discharged. For the same, this type is also called the Piston Air Compressor.
Advantages of Reciprocating Compressor
- This compressor type is not expensive.
- This type can work under high pressures.
Disadvantages of Reciprocating Compressor
- The air which is released is at higher temperatures in comparison.
- The Reciprocating Compressor type is noisy and also vibrates.
What is a Rotary-Air Conditioner(AC) Compressor?
As the name suggests, this type comprises a set of strategically placed Rotors of special design. These two are spaced in a manner that the arrangement is compact. As the rotors rotate in opposite directions, the air is made to pass through this arrangement. This, way the resulting air is at high pressure, as required.
Advantages of Rotary Compressor
- This Compressor type is perfect for cooling large spaces like offices, factories, and halls.
- This is not a noisy option.
- The air is cooler as compared to the Reciprocating compressor type.
Disadvantages of Rotary Compressor
- Are an expensive option.
- Cannot be used for large spaces or an elongated period.
- Can lead to corrosion if not used for a long time. This is mainly because of the formation of water condensate, which corrodes the machine over time.
Difference Between Reciprocating and Rotary-Air Conditioner(AC) Compressor
What is the difference between Reciprocating and Rotary-AirConditioner(AC) Compressor? Let us find:
RECIPROCATING COMPRESSOR | ROTARY COMPRESSOR |
This type involves a Piston and Cylinder arrangement for compression of air | In this type, the compression takes place due to the rotary motion of 'blades' |
Results in intermitted air delivery | Results in continuous delivery of air |
The delivery pressure is quite high | The delivery pressure is quite low |
The Airflow rate is low | The Airflow rate is high |
The compressor works at a low speed, as unbalanced forces exist | The compressor works at high speed due to perfectly balanced forces |
Requires high maintenance, as multiple parts are involved | Low maintenance, as fewer parts are involved |
This type cannot be coupled to the prime mover, as it requires a reduction of speed | This type can be directly coupled with Prime mover |
Are used when a smaller quantity of air at high pressures is a requirement | Is a perfect choice when a large air quantity is a requirement |
Reciprocating Vs Rotary Compressor: The Conclusion- Which one is Better?
So, between Reciprocating Vs Rotary-Air Conditioner(AC) Compressor, what is it going to be? Let us take a closer look:
For The Small Space: If your requirement includes a small home or a room, a Reciprocating Compressor is just fine. Also, if your space is small, like that of a small office or a tiny shop, a Rotary Compressor should be good enough. Also, if it is your home, the regular cooling solution is not a requirement. Hence, Reciprocating Compressor is perfect.
For Larger Areas: For places like a big office, factory, industry or a hall, the Rotary Compressor is the right option for you. This is because the cooling effect is continuous and is designed to cover large spaces. Also, the usage for a commercial space is at a big scale. Hence, a rotary compressor is a good choice.
Also Read:
- What Is The Best Temperature For AC in Summers?
- Can an Air Conditioner(AC) Run on an Inverter?
- Gold Fin Vs. Blue Fin Condenser Coils in AC- Which Works Better?
- Central AC Vs. Split AC-Which One You Should Buy?
- Split AC Vs. Window AC- Which One Should I Buy?
- Copper Coil Vs. Aluminium Coil in AC-Which Works Better?
- The Most Common Reasons For AC Not Cooling