Which statement best describes compressor types and their typical characteristics?

Which statement best describes compressor types and their typical characteristics?

• A. Reciprocating compressors use pistons and rods; Scroll compressors use interleaved rotors.
• B. Scroll compressors use pistons and rods; Reciprocating uses interleaved spirals.
• C. Scrolls are quieter, have fewer moving parts, and often higher efficiency at part-load; reciprocating handles higher pressures and is common in older equipment.
• D. Reciprocating typically has fewer moving parts and operates more quietly than scroll.

Answer: (C)

Compressors come in designs that affect noise, moving-part count, efficiency at partial load, and the ability to reach higher pressures. Scroll compressors use two interleaved spirals that orbit to compress refrigerant, and this simple, compact mechanism means they typically run quietly, have fewer moving parts, and often deliver good efficiency especially at part-load. Reciprocating compressors use pistons connected to rods moving inside cylinders; this traditional design is robust, capable of achieving higher discharge pressures, and is common in older equipment. Because of these fundamental differences, the statement that scrolls are quieter, have fewer moving parts, and often offer higher efficiency at part-load, while reciprocating handles higher pressures and is common in older equipment, best describes typical characteristics. (Scrolls don’t use pistons or interleaved rotors, and reciprocating isn’t known for quiet operation compared to scroll, which is why those other descriptions aren’t as accurate.)

Compressors come in designs that affect noise, moving-part count, efficiency at partial load, and the ability to reach higher pressures. Scroll compressors use two interleaved spirals that orbit to compress refrigerant, and this simple, compact mechanism means they typically run quietly, have fewer moving parts, and often deliver good efficiency especially at part-load. Reciprocating compressors use pistons connected to rods moving inside cylinders; this traditional design is robust, capable of achieving higher discharge pressures, and is common in older equipment. Because of these fundamental differences, the statement that scrolls are quieter, have fewer moving parts, and often offer higher efficiency at part-load, while reciprocating handles higher pressures and is common in older equipment, best describes typical characteristics. (Scrolls don’t use pistons or interleaved rotors, and reciprocating isn’t known for quiet operation compared to scroll, which is why those other descriptions aren’t as accurate.)