A reciprocating compressor operates by using gas, air or some other substance that moves the pistons on the compressor. While the operation for the different types of compressors is similar, you may need to get specific training for the types you plan to use.

There are several venues for reciprocating compressors education and training. The type you choose may depend on your level of experience and your goals. Some educational opportunities cater to people just learning the basics, while others offer advanced education for people with a degree in engineering. Some of the methods for education and training include:

1. Hands-on courses designed to teach you how to operate a reciprocating compressor;

2. Conferences or seminars that cover technical information such as reciprocating compressor sizing;

3. And online courses that teach the basics of reciprocating compressing for engineers or equipment operators.

Action Steps
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Obtain hands-on information about reciprocating compressors

Hands-on training allows you to get a feel for the reciprocating compressor, and provides the opportunity to put technical information into practice. Some reciprocating compression companies host training specific to their models of compressors. In order to attend a hands-on training, you'll probably have to plan to travel.

I recommend: ESD Simulation Testing is an international company that offers education and training for reciprocating compressors. It offers a variety of formats including simulation models, allowing students hands-on learning. Burckhardt Compression AG hosts training seminars that cover reciprocating compressors operation and provide hands-on training. It is one of the world's largest manufacturers for reciprocating compressors.

Attend conferences or seminars on reciprocating compressing

Conferences and seminars usually have a higher attendance than hands-on training opportunities, so you won't get the opportunity to test the products. In some cases, the number of people in attendance is a safety issue. Aside from technical information on reciprocating compressors, some events host demonstrations provided by sponsoring reciprocating compressor manufacturers.

I recommend: AllConferences.com offers information on current and up-coming conferences that involve natural gas reciprocating compressors. Its information includes the cost for the events. The Petroleum Institute for Continuing Education (PEICE) provides short courses on a variety of compression topics. One of its international locations is in Houston, TX.

Take online courses in reciprocating compression

Like conferences and seminars, online courses fail to provide hands-on experience, but you will get technical information on things from reciprocating compressor parts to theories of operation. In some cases, technical education can help you operate a reciprocating compressor with more efficiency.

I recommend: Gatlin Learning offers a three-hour online course on the Theory and Application of Reciprocating Compressors. The course is geared toward engineers. PDHengineer.com offers a two-hour online course on Air and Gas Compressors, covering reciprocating compression.

A reciprocating compressor uses pistons driven by a crankshaft to deliver gases at high pressure. These types of compressors can be driven by electric motors or gasoline, diesel or natural gas engines, but electric motors are the most energy efficient.

Reciprocating compressors are used in a variety of applications in the commercial, government and industrial markets. Oil refineries, gas, pipelines, chemical plants, natural gas processing plants and refrigeration plants use reciprocating compressors to pressurizes their gases and reduce their volume for easier storage and transport. Reciprocating compressors are also used in a specialized process of blowing plastic bottles.

Types of gases in reciprocating compression applications include:

1. Air for compressed tool and instrument air systems in reciprocating compressors

2. Hydrogen, oxygen, and others for chemical processing

3. Light hydrocarbon fractions for refining by reciprocating compressing

4. Various gases for storage or transmission

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate reciprocating compressor dealers that supply air systems for tools and instruments

Piston-driven or reciprocating compressors are the oldest and most affordable type of air compressor, and are commonly found in portable industrial applications or home workshops. This type of compression works best for intermittent applications such as nail guns and pneumatic drills.

I recommend: Scales Industrial Technology carries reciprocating air compressors for all types of businesses starting at 5 horsepower. Total Equipment offers small industrial reciprocating compressors ranging from 1 to 30 horsepower.

Purchase from reciprocating compression companies that specialize in refining applications

Refining applications use reciprocating compressors to handle gases of different pressures. Typical applications include natural gas processing, enhanced oil recovery and refinery processes such as hydrocracking, hydrotreating and desulfurization

I recommend: Norwalk Compressor manufactures reciprocating piston type compressors for low and high pressure inert and process gas service for the most demanding compression requirements in petrochemical, off-shore, oilfield and refinery facilities. Ariel is a reciprocating compressor company that specializes in pipeline, storage, and high-pressure injection applications that require large horsepower drivers and compression capacity.

Find reciprocating compressor suppliers for chemical applications

Smaller reciprocating compressors are used in a variety of difficult process applications including ammonia, butadiene, butane, carbon dioxide, chlorine, hydrogen, hydrogen sulphide, methane, bone dry nitrogen, pentane, phosgene, propylene, sulfur dioxide and vinyl chloride.

I recommend: Hydro-Pac distributes reciprocating compressors for chemical processing. Dresser-Rand offers reciprocating compressing equipment for chemical applications that require compact, simple and speedy installation. This company also specializes in reciprocating compressor sizing.

Cut costs with used reciprocating compressors

Many companies that sell new reciprocating compressors also offer used ones that have been reconditioned. In addition, there are companies that will remanufacture your existing unit.

I recommend: Energy Machinery has a large inventory of new and used reciprocating compressors. National Compressor Exchange is a certified remanufacturer of reciprocating compressors with capabilities in disassembling, cleaning, machining and motor rewinding.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ask for guidance from reciprocating compressor suppliers to determine the correct size compressor for your application.

Engravers use metal engraving equipment for marking engravings on metal products or parts - such as jewelry, gifts and craft articles, motor parts, machine tools and hardware products. Metal engraving equipment has become more sophisticated and easy to handle as various software is available to attain high precision.

If you want to establish yourself as a metal engraving equipment supplier or buy metal engraving equipment, you will need to learn about some common terms associated with metal engraving equipment. This guide covers some of the common terminology.

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Lathe

Metal engravers use a lathe machine to engrave metal objects by rotating them against an engraving tool. The spindle is the part of the lathe machine that rotates. A lathe machine can engrave only those metal objects that are circular in shape.

I recommend: You can read through the detailed information on lathe machine at The Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Burin

A burin is an important tool for engraving. It is a tempered metal tool that engravers use to cut the design into the surface. The burin produces a unique and decipherable quality of line. Steady, deliberate appearance and clean edges are the hallmarks of a burin. Burins are either square or elongated and diamond-shaped and used for cutting straight lines.

I recommend: You can read through detailed information on burin and the way to handle it at Goldsmith.it.

Engraving spindle

Engraving spindles are one of the most important components for all kinds of engraving machines. Engraving spindles have a special design for high-speed engraving. They operate in a rotational motion and engravers can adjust the speed of spindle rotation as required.

I recommend: You can read through detailed information on engraving spindle at SpindlesWorld.com, a business-to-business portal for machine and precision spindle manufacturers.

RPM

RPM (revolutions per minute) is a measure of the spindle speed of a metal engraving machine. It measures the revolutions the spindle of a motor makes in 1 minute. More revolutions per minute means a more powerful metal engraving machine.

I recommend: You can read through the definition of RPM at Convertworld.com.

Laser engraving

Laser engraving is an advanced process of metal engraving that involves a beam of light as an engraving tool. Laser engraving is a preferable process for engraving precious metals, such as gold, silver and platinum, as the process ensures less chance of product damage or deformation. Laser engraving is also suitable for tungsten, stainless steel and aluminum.

I recommend: You can read through detailed information on laser engraving process at Laser Engraving Express, a leading laser engraving services provider.

Push graver engraving

Push graver engraving involves the use of a push graver, which is a hand held engraving tool. This process is difficult compared to other processes of metal engraving such as hammer and chisel engraving and laser engraving as it requires more control on the movements of the engraving tool on the metal surface.

I recommend: You can read through the detailed information on push graver engraving at EngravingArts, an Adone Galleries website.