Page 55 - Reciprocating Compressors Operation Maintenance

42 Reciprocating Compressors: Operation and Maintenance

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSOR CYLINDER
ARRANGEMENTS

By arranging the cylinders of the reciprocating compressor in various
combinations, greater capacity and output can be achieved.
Some of the many possible combinations of cylinders and their
arrangements are shown in Figure 1 -20.

FIGURE 1-2O. Cylinder combinations and available arrangements.

Single - Frame straight-line reciprocating compressors, Figures A, C,
D, and F, are horizontal or vertical double-acting compressors with one or
more cylinders in line on a single frame having one crank throw and one
connecting rod and crosshead. They may be belted or direct-connected,
motor-driven, or steam-driven with the steam and air cylinder in tandem.
V- or Y-type reciprocating compressors are two-cylinder, vertical dou-
ble-acting machines in which the compressor cylinders are arranged at
some angle, using 45° from the vertical, and are driven from a single
crank (Figure G).
Semi-Radial reciprocating compressors are similar to the V- or Y-type
except that, in addition to the double-acting compressor cylinders arranged