Which type of compressor requires intake and discharge valves?

Reciprocating compressors require intake and discharge valves to control the flow of gas into and out of the compression chamber. In a reciprocating compressor, a piston moves back and forth within a cylinder, creating a change in volume that compresses the gas.

As the piston moves down, the intake valve opens, allowing gas to fill the cylinder. When the piston moves back up, the pressure in the cylinder increases, and once it surpasses the pressure in the discharge line, the discharge valve opens to allow the compressed gas to exit. This mechanism is essential for the operation of reciprocating compressors, as it ensures that gas is drawn in and expelled at the proper times during the compression cycle.

Other types of compressors, such as rotary and centrifugal, operate on different principles and do not require these valves to manage the flow of gas in the same manner.