Multicasing Compressor: When two or more compressors, each with a separate casing, are

driven by a single motor or turbine, the combined unit is called a multicasing compressor.

Multistage Axial Compressor: A machine having two or more rows of muting vanes operating in
series on a single rotor and in a single casing.

Multistage Compressors: Machines employing two or more stages.

Modulating Control: Compressor controls will run the compressor at varying loads to
accommodate demand variations.

Off-Load: The compressor which is running & consuming power but is not delivering air.

On-Load: The compressor producing air, either at part load or full load.

Oil-free air: Compressed air produced by a compressor with no oil present in the compression
cycle.

Oil Separator: A device that separates oil from the condensate.

OSHA Valve: Valve used to depressurize a system when pressure drop is noticed.

Packaged Air System: Self contained unit consisting of a compressor, a prime mover & various
accessories.

Pascal (Pa): The SI derived unit of pressure.

Pressure Drop: A term used to describe the decrease in pressure from one point in a pipe or
tube to another.

Pressure Regulator: A device used to decrease the incoming pressure to a lower level &
maintains it irrespective to the changes in inlet pressure & outlet flow rate.

Prime Motor: A machine used to derive a compressor.

Particulates: Solid materials such as dust, rust, pollen, etc that is present in air stream.

PPM: Parts Per Million, measurement of the oil present in compressed air.

Receivers: Tanks used to store compressed air & help damp discharge line pulsations.

Reciprocating Compressor: It is a positive displacement compressor which is driven by a piston

having a reciprocating motion in a cylinder.

Reduced Pressure: Ratio of actual pressure of a gas to its critical pressure.

Reheaters: Heat exchanger for increasing the temperature of compressed air to increase its
volume.

Rotor: A rotating element in a machine & is composed of impeller & shaft.

Rotary Compressor: An air compressor using a rotary impeller driving air through a curved
chamber to compress the air.

Regulator: An automatic or manual device designed to control pressure, flow or temperature.

Relief valve: A type of valve used to control or limit the pressure in a system or vessel which
can build up by a process upset, instrument or equipment failure.

Refrigeration Dryer: A device consisting of a heat transfer system, a moisture elimination

system and a refrigeration system designed to improve the quality of the air and reduce the
temperature of the air.

Safety Valve: A device that limits liquids & gas pressure by discharging some of the pressurized
liquid or gas.

Safety Relief Valve: An automatic pressure relieving device actuated by the static pressure
upstream of the device, which opens in proportion to the increase in pressure over the opening
pressure.

Standard Air: Air at a temperature of 68 °F, a pressure of 14.70 psia and a relative humidity of
36 per cent (0.0750 density) (as per A.S.M.E. however in the gas industry the temperature of
standard air is usually given as 60 °F.

SCFM: Standard cubic feet per minute.

Set Pressure: The gauge pressure at which a safety valve visibly and audibly opens or at setting
which a relief valve discharges an unbroken stream of liquid.

Shaft: A rotating element part on which a rotating division is mounted & therefore helps
transmits energy from the prime mover.

Surge Limit: It is the capacity below which the compressor operation becomes unstable.