8
INTRODUCTION TO
AIR BOOSTERS AND GAS COMPRESSORS
Hycomp oil free air boosters (compressors taking
their inlet from an air source at an elevated pressure)
and gas compressors are unique in the industry due
to their small size, open crosshead, and gas packing
design. The open crosshead allows any oil vapors
that may escape from the crankcase to be vented to
atmosphere, thereby preventing their entrainment in
the compressed gas stream. Hycomp’s innovative use
of the incoming gas stream to help cool gas packings
provides extended performance bene
fi
ts and service
life.
These compressors draw inlet gas from a source that is
already at elevated pressure and “boost” it to an even
higher pressure. Because these compressors do not
draw from atmosphere they require special attention
to inlet gas conditions and cleanliness.
Hycomp’s gas packing design prevents leakage of
gas vapors to the open atmosphere. Hycomp utilizes
self adjusting, segmented packings to seal against
the piston rod, and safely contain the gas. This gas
can then be vented to a safe location, or a variety of
purging, venting or padding options may be used to
control the gas leakage. With this system, Hycomp
compressors can pressurize flammable and toxic
gases.
Hycomp compressors & boosters are specialized and
engineered speci
fi
cally for each application, making
them different from other types of compressors offered
in the market. They are available in single, two and
three stage models with air or water cooling.
All Hycomp boosters & compressors are tested at the
factory to ensure they meet contractual requirements.
When properly installed, the booster compressor
should be ready and able to provide the reliable
service that Hycomp customers have come to trust
and appreciate.
CYLINDER HEAD
OIL PUMP
COMPRESSION
CYLINDER
FLYWHEEL
CROSSHEAD
CYLINDER
OIL-SCRAPERS
GAS PACKINGS
UNLOADER
TOWER
COMPRESSION
PISTON
CRANKCASE
DISTANCE PIECE
(PLENUM CHAMBER)
CONNECTING
ROD
CROSSHEAD
PISTON
OIL FILTER
PISTON ROD
Figure 2: Cutaway of an Air Booster & Gas Compressor