Compressors

are machines, which increase the pressure of a gas through input of mechanical work.

Gas compressors and pumps for liquids are generally called working machines.

Increasing gas pressure results in simultaneous increase of density and temperature.

The quantitative relationship of the parameters of the gas (pressure, temperature und density or specific volume )  and its energies ( e.g. work and heat ) are given by the laws of thermodynamics.

The main statement of thermodynamics related to compression is:

The minimum amount of work is needed with a compression at constant temperatures (isothermal compression), which cannot be achieved in reality.

In order to come close to isothermal compression, compressors are normally cooled and are built as multistage compressors with intercooling for higher pressures.

The external work is applied onto the medium to be compressed either via force or via torque with a moving machine component. Alternatively these machines work according to the  volumetric principle (piston compressors ) or the flow principle (turbocompressors).

Both types of compression have a long history and have their advantages and disadvantages. Both principles are therefore in use today and  will be used in the future.