Compressor facts for kids
A compressor is a special machine or computer program that makes things smaller or more powerful. It can squeeze gas, make computer files tiny, or even balance the sound in music!
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What is a Compressor?
A compressor works by taking something and making it more compact. Think of it like squishing a big sponge into a small space. This can be done with gases, digital information, or even sounds.
Gas Compressors
A gas compressor is a mechanical device that squeezes a gas, like air, into a smaller volume. When gas is compressed, it becomes denser and its pressure increases. This process is used in many everyday things.
How Gas Compressors Work
Gas compressors work in different ways, but the main idea is to force gas into a smaller space. Imagine pushing air into a balloon; the air inside gets squished.
There are several types of gas compressors:
- Reciprocating compressors: These use pistons that move back and forth, like a bicycle pump, to squeeze the gas. They are common for high-pressure jobs.
- Rotary screw compressors: These have two spinning screws that trap gas and push it into a smaller area. They are often used in factories.
- Centrifugal compressors: These use a fast-spinning wheel to throw gas outwards, increasing its pressure. They are good for moving large amounts of gas.
- Axial compressors: These have many rows of spinning blades that push gas straight through, increasing its pressure step by step. They are found in jet engines.
Where are Gas Compressors Used?
You might not realize it, but gas compressors are all around you!
- Refrigerators and freezers: A small compressor inside your fridge helps to cool it down by circulating refrigerant gas.
- Air conditioners: Similar to refrigerators, compressors are vital for cooling your home or car.
- Scuba diving: Compressors fill scuba tanks with high-pressure breathing air, allowing divers to explore underwater.
- Industrial uses: Factories use compressors for tools like air hammers, spray painting, and moving materials.
- Power plants: Compressors are used in gas turbines to help generate electricity.
Other Types of Compressors
Besides machines that squeeze gas, the word "compressor" can also mean other things:
Software Compressors
A compressor (software) is a computer program that makes digital files smaller. For example, when you watch a video online, it has often been "compressed" so it can download faster without losing too much quality. This is super helpful for saving space on your computer or phone.
Audio Compressors
An audio compressor is a device or software that changes the loudness of sounds. It makes the loud parts of music or speech quieter and the quiet parts louder. This helps to make the overall sound more even and clear, which is why it's used a lot in music production and broadcasting.
KOMPRESSOR (Musician)
KOMPRESSOR is also the name of an electronic musician. This shows how the word "compressor" can have many different meanings!
Related pages
- Compression
- Compaction
- Decompression
- Expansion
Cool Compressor Pictures
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A small stationary high pressure breathing air compressor for filling scuba cylinders
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High pressure reciprocating compressor from Belliss and Morcom, used in the bottling industry
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frame
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A motor-driven six-cylinder reciprocating compressor that can operate with two, four or six cylinders.
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Diagram of a rotary screw compressor
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Rolling piston compressor
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Mechanism of a scroll pump
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A three-stage diaphragm compressor
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A single stage centrifugal compressor
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A single stage centrifugal compressor, early 1900s, G. Schiele & Co., Frankfurt am Main
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An animation of an axial compressor.
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A small hermetically sealed compressor in a common consumer refrigerator or freezer typically has a rounded steel outer shell permanently welded shut, which seals operating gases inside the system, in this case an R600a refrigerant. There is no route for gases to leak, such as around motor shaft seals. On this model, the plastic top section is part of an auto-defrost system that uses motor heat to evaporate the water.
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P-v (Specific volume vs. Pressure) diagram comparing isentropic, polytropic, and isothermal processes between the same pressure limits.
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Diving air compressor in noise reduction cabinet
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See also
In Spanish: Compresor (máquina) para niños
