Diaphragm Gas Compressors and Gas Compressor Systems
Last Updated: April 1, 2025
Description
Diaphragm gas compressors are devices designed to increase the pressure of gases by using a flexible diaphragm. These compressors are part of the positive displacement category, meaning they compress gas by reducing its volume through mechanical means. The diaphragm acts as a barrier between the gas and the mechanical components, ensuring that the gas remains uncontaminated during the compression process.
Working Principle
Diaphragm gas compressors operate by oscillating a diaphragm, which is driven by a rod mechanism. This movement creates a change in volume within a chamber, drawing gas in and then compressing it as the diaphragm moves back. The absence of sliding seals or parts in the diaphragm design minimizes wear and tear, making these compressors highly reliable. The utility of diaphragm compressors lies in their ability to handle gases without contamination, as there are no lubricants or oils involved in the compression chamber, ensuring the purity of the compressed gas.
Applications
Diaphragm gas compressors are particularly useful in applications where gas purity is critical. They are often employed in the chemical industry for processes that require uncontaminated gases. Additionally, they are used in laboratories and medical applications where the integrity of the gas must be maintained.
Advantages over other Gas Compressors and Gas Compressor Systems
One of the primary advantages of diaphragm gas compressors is their ability to compress gases without contamination. Unlike other compressors that may use oil for lubrication, diaphragm compressors do not require sealing or lubricating oils, eliminating the risk of oil vapor leakage. This makes them ideal for applications requiring high purity levels. Furthermore, the lack of internal wear components due to the simple diaphragm design enhances their reliability and reduces maintenance needs.
Limitations
Despite their advantages, diaphragm gas compressors have limitations. They may not be suitable for applications requiring very high pressures or large volumes of gas, as their design is optimized for specific conditions. Additionally, the materials used for the diaphragm must be compatible with the gas being compressed, which can limit their use with certain aggressive or corrosive gases.
Considerations
When selecting a diaphragm gas compressor, several factors should be considered. Initial costs can be higher compared to other types of compressors due to the specialized materials and design. However, operating expenses may be lower due to reduced maintenance needs and the absence of oil-related costs. Durability is generally high, but the diaphragm material must be chosen carefully to ensure longevity and compatibility with the gas. Replacement and maintenance costs are typically lower, as the design minimizes wear and tear on components.
from PPI
PPI 1500 Series Diaphragm Compressors are ideal for pilot plant and lesser quantity cylinder filling applications where high purity or hazardous gases are used in lower capacities. The 1500 Series compressor is supplied as standard with an integral electric drive motor and leak detection system. PPI... [See More]
- Compressor Technology: Diaphragm
- Inlet / Suction Pressure: 6000
- Inlet Temperature: 450
- Discharge / Operating Pressure: 6000
from Thomas An Ingersoll Rand Business
Features & Benefits. Single cylinder. Oil-less operation. Quiet, low pulsating head design. Permanently lubricated bearings. Reinforced plastic head and connecting rod assemblies. Balanced for smooth, low vibration operation. Range Technical Overview. Capacity up to 0.65 cfm / 18.4 l/min. [See More]
- Compressor Technology: Diaphragm
- Mass Flow Capacity: 0.6000 to 0.7000
- Discharge / Operating Pressure: 20 to 25
- Horse Power: 0.0300 to 0.0312
from Gardner Denver, Inc.
Compressors. Gardner Denver is a global leader in the design, manufacture, installation and service of innovative compressor technologies for a diverse range of industries. From manufacturing to construction, mining to pharmaceuticals, our compressors work hard to increase efficiency, reduce energy... [See More]
- Compressor Technology: Centrifugal; Diaphragm; RotaryLobe; Rotary Screw
- Gases Handled: Air; Hydrocarbon; Natural Gas / Methane
- Lubrication Style: Oil-free (optional feature)
- Applications: Gas Transmission / Delivery; Oil Refining / Chemical Processing; Oil / Vapor Recovery ; Process Gas Feeding / Injection; Vessel / Cylinder Filling
from Advanced Gas Technologies
Advanced Gas Technologies Inc. has been marketing, installing and maintaining industrial gas generating systems, standard industrial compressor systems and engineered compressor systems throughout North America since 1994. Diaphragm Compressors Features. From 3 HP to 125 HP. Pressures to 30,000... [See More]
- Compressor Technology: Diaphragm
- Horse Power: 3 to 125
- Discharge / Operating Pressure: 30000
- Lubrication Style: Oil-free
from Howden
Burton Corblin ® D-Series of Diaphragm Compressors. Leak tight, high pressure process compressor packages for situations where complete isolation of gas is vital, including oil and gas processes, production sites and laboratories handling high purity, rare, toxic, flammable, corrosive, explosive... [See More]
- Compressor Technology: Diaphragm
- Horse Power: 13.4 to 1742
- Discharge / Operating Pressure: ? to 43511
- Compression Ratio: 1/15
from Fluitron, Inc.
In the FLUITRON DIAPHRAGM COMPRESSOR there are no dynamic seals or packing glands. All of the seals to the atmosphere are static gasket or o-ring seals. Therefore, the compressor is as free from leakage as any static seal in the system. Even in the event of a diaphragm or diaphragm seal failure the... [See More]
- Compressor Technology: Diaphragm
- Power Source: Air / Pneumatic; AC Single Phase (optional feature); AC Three Phase (optional feature); Hydraulic
- Discharge / Operating Pressure: 60000
- Gases Handled: Argon; Helium; Nitrogen; Oxygen; CO, Hydrogen, Ethylene, Methane
from PPI
The Sundyne Series 2L Diaphragm Compressor is available in single and two stage configurations. Sub-series modles are as follows: 2000, Single Stage. 2L, Two Stage [See More]
- Compressor Technology: Diaphragm
- Inlet / Suction Pressure: 15000
- Inlet Temperature: 475
- Discharge / Operating Pressure: 15000
from Thomas An Ingersoll Rand Business
Features & Benefits. Oil-less operation. Permanently lubricated bearings. Stainless valves. Die cast aluminum head, valve plate and diaphragm hod down plate with dichromate conversion treatment. Balanced for smooth, low vibration operation. Field service capability. Range Technical Overview. [See More]
- Compressor Technology: Diaphragm
- Mass Flow Capacity: 0.6000 to 1.4
- Discharge / Operating Pressure: 10 to 35
- Horse Power: 0.1000 to 0.2001
from Howden
Burton Corblin ® H-Series of Hybrid Compressors. The combination of piston and diaphragm technologies allows greater flows and high pressure delivery. Hybrid technology is a compact oil free solution to serve intermediate size units for high pressure needs. Key Benefits. Hybrid compressor is a... [See More]
- Compressor Technology: Diaphragm; Reciprocating Piston
- Mass Flow Capacity: 412
- Discharge / Operating Pressure: 14.5 to 6527
- Horse Power: 938
from PPI
The Sundyne Series 4L Diaphragm Compressor is a highly reliable and robust design available in several sub series models. 4000 Single Stage. 4X000 Single Stage. 4L Two Stage. 4LX Two Stage [See More]
- Compressor Technology: Diaphragm
- Inlet / Suction Pressure: 16750
- Inlet Temperature: 450
- Discharge / Operating Pressure: 16750
from Thomas An Ingersoll Rand Business
Features & Benefits. Specifically designed for fuel cells. Oil-less operation. Stainless steel valves. Permanently lubricated bearings. All wetted aluminum parts treated for corrosion protection. Balanced for smooth, low vibration operation. Range Technical Overview. Capacity up to 0.97 cfm /... [See More]
- Compressor Technology: Diaphragm
- Mass Flow Capacity: 0.9000
- Discharge / Operating Pressure: 30
- Horse Power: 0.0938
from PPI
The Sundyne Series 7L Diaphragm Compressor is available in single and two stage configurations. Sub-series models are as follows: 5000, Single Stage. 5L/H, Two Stage. 7000, Single Stage. 7L/H, Two Stage. 9000, Single Stage. 9L/H, Two Stage [See More]
- Compressor Technology: Diaphragm
- Inlet / Suction Pressure: 6250
- Inlet Temperature: 450
- Discharge / Operating Pressure: 6250
from Thomas An Ingersoll Rand Business
Features & Benefits Compact designLow sound levelLow power consumptionOil-lessRange Technical Overview Capacity up to 0.2 cfm / 5.5 l/minPressure to 27.5 psi / 1.9 barCapable of restarting up to 27.5 psi / 1.9 bar pressurePossible Applications Medical applications such as oedema sleeves and... [See More]
- Compressor Technology: Diaphragm
- Mass Flow Capacity: 0.1000 to 0.2000
- Discharge / Operating Pressure: 14.5 to 27.6
- Horse Power: 0.0058 to 0.0094
from PPI
The Series 9X Diaphragm Compressor is available in single and two stage configurations. Sub-series models are as follows: 9X Single Stage. 9X/H Two Stage [See More]
- Compressor Technology: Diaphragm
- Inlet / Suction Pressure: 3350
- Inlet Temperature: 450
- Discharge / Operating Pressure: 3350
from Thomas An Ingersoll Rand Business
Features & Benefits. Twin diaphragm. Low sound level. Low vibration. Low current consumption. Oil-less. Range Technical Overview. Capacity up to 0.4 cfm / 11.0 l/min. Pressure to 27.5 psi / 1.9 bar. Capable of restarting up to 27.5 psi / 1.9 bar pressure. Twin diaphragm design. Possible... [See More]
- Compressor Technology: Diaphragm
- Mass Flow Capacity: 0.2000 to 0.4000
- Discharge / Operating Pressure: 14.5 to 27.5
- Horse Power: 0.0099 to 0.0147
from Thomas An Ingersoll Rand Business
Features & Benefits. Oil-less. Maintenance free. Balanced for smooth low vibration operation. Low sound level. Small. Light weight. High efficiency. Range Technical Overview. Capacity up to 0.02 cfm / 0.5 l/min. Pressure to 8 psi / 0.55 bar. Capable of restarting up to 2.2 psi / 0.15 bar... [See More]
- Compressor Technology: Diaphragm
- Power Source: DC; 3.5-18 VDC
- Discharge / Operating Pressure: 5.8 to 8.7
- Lubrication Style: Oil-less
from Thomas An Ingersoll Rand Business
Features & Benefits. Oil-less operation. Permanently lubricated bearings. Stainless steel valves and lapped aluminum valve plates. Die-cast aluminum heads and diaphragm hold down plates. Balanced for smooth, low vibration operation. Long-life diaphragms. Field service capability. Dichromate... [See More]
- Compressor Technology: Diaphragm
- Mass Flow Capacity: 0.9000 to 1.7
- Discharge / Operating Pressure: 5 to 30
- Horse Power: 0.1000 to 0.2001
from Thomas An Ingersoll Rand Business
Features & Benefits. Oil-less. Maintenance free. Balanced for smooth low vibration operation. Low sound level. Small. Light weight. High efficiency. Range Technical Overview. Capacity up to 0.035 cfm / 1 l/min. Pressure to 14.5 psi / 1.0 bar. Capable of restarting up to 2.9 psi / 0.2 bar... [See More]
- Compressor Technology: Diaphragm
- Power Source: DC; 3.5-12 VDC
- Discharge / Operating Pressure: 9.4 to 14.5
- Lubrication Style: Oil-less
from Thomas An Ingersoll Rand Business
Features & Benefits. Oil-less. Maintenance free. Balanced for smooth low vibration operation. Low sound level. Small. Light weight. High efficiency. Range Technical Overview. Capacity up to 0.05 cfm / 1.3 l/min. Pressure to 8.7 psi / 0.6 bar. Capable of restarting up to 2.9 psi / 0.2 bar. Other... [See More]
- Compressor Technology: Diaphragm
- Power Source: DC; 3-12 VDC
- Discharge / Operating Pressure: 6.5 to 8.7
- Lubrication Style: Oil-less
from Thomas An Ingersoll Rand Business
Features & Benefits. Oil-less. Maintenance free. Small. Light weight. High performance. Range Technical Overview. Capacity up to 0.07 cfm / 2.0 l/min. Pressure to 10.2 psi / 0.7 bar. Capable of restarting up to 2.9 psi / 0.2 bar. Other special versions available. Possible Applications. Gas... [See More]
- Compressor Technology: Diaphragm
- Mass Flow Capacity: 0.1000 to 1
- Discharge / Operating Pressure: 10.1
- Horse Power: 0.0040
from Thomas An Ingersoll Rand Business
Features & Benefits. Oil-less. Maintenance free. Balanced for smooth low vibration operation. Low sound level. Small. Light weight. High efficiency. Range Technical Overview. Capacity up to 0.08 cfm / 2.4 l/min. Pressure to 21.8 psi / 1.5 bar. Capable of restarting up to 21.8 psi / 1.5 bar... [See More]
- Compressor Technology: Diaphragm
- Mass Flow Capacity: 0.1000
- Discharge / Operating Pressure: 10.1 to 21.8
- Power Source: DC; 6-24 VDC
from Thomas An Ingersoll Rand Business
Features & Benefits. Oil-less. Maintenance free. Smooth running. Low noise level. Long lifetime. Sealed airpath. Large choice in material. Pressure or vacuum. Range Technical Overview. Capacity up to 0.6 cfm / 18.0 l/min. Pressure to 36.3 psi / 2.5 bar. Capable of restarting up to 36.3 psi / 2.5... [See More]
- Compressor Technology: Diaphragm
- Mass Flow Capacity: 0.3000 to 0.6000
- Discharge / Operating Pressure: 36.3
- Horse Power: 0.0268 to 0.2412
from Thomas An Ingersoll Rand Business
Features & Benefits. Oil-less. Maintenance free. Smooth running. Low noise level. High lifetime. Sealed tight. Large choice in material. Pressure or vacuum. Range Technical Overview. Capacity up to 0.44 cfm / 12.5 l/min. Pressure to 33.4 psi / 2.3 bar. Capable of restarting up to 14.5 psi / 1.0... [See More]
- Compressor Technology: Diaphragm
- Mass Flow Capacity: 0.2000 to 0.4000
- Discharge / Operating Pressure: 29 to 33.3
- Horse Power: 0.0214 to 0.0898