Page 49 - Reciprocating Compressors Operation Maintenance
P. 49
36 Reciprocating Compressors: Operation and Maintenance
s
10
10' -.
3
10 -.
10* _.
10 --
1
10 10* 10 s 10* 10 s 10 e 10*
Inlet Flow, ACFM
FIGURE 1 -19. Application ranges for major compressor types.
Load factor is a consideration largely in the smaller installations where
only one or two compressors are to be installed.
Load factor is the ratio of actual compressed gas output (while the unit
is operating) to the rated full-load output during this same period. It
should never be 100%, a good rule being to select an installation for from
50 to 80% load factor, dependent upon the size, type and number of units
involved. Proper use of load factor results in
1. More uniform pressure, even during peak demand periods.
2. A cooling-off period (extremely desirable for air-cooled units).
