Difference between Single Stage and Multi-Stage Compressor?

What is a compressor?

A compressor is a device that transfers the pressure from the gas or liquid to the compressor. This is done by passing through a mechanical system, which can be single-stage or multi-stage. In the case of the Single Stage Compressor, it has one set of plates and valves. In Multi-Stage Compressor, it has more than one set of plates and valves where each set is connected with another via some sort of connecting mechanism.

Difference between Single-stage Compressor and Multi-Stage Compressor?

1. Single-stage and multi-stage compressors are two types of a compressor that are used in the power industry.
2. The single-stage compressor operates on the principle of positive displacement where it uses a high volume of air to compress the refrigerant and eliminate heat transfer by using a heat exchanger.
3. A single-stage compressor has one moving part (compressor) whereas, a multi-stage compressor has more than one moving part (compressor, oil pump, and pressure switch).
4.  In a single-stage compressor, all the components move together with the shaft while in a multi-stage compressor, only the compressing element moves along with the shaft. The other components remain stationary throughout their operation.
5. The compression ratio of a single-stage compressor is almost constant at any pressure level. 
6. The single-stage compressor has low-efficiency loss which results in low power consumption.
7. The single-stage compressor has high starting torque than a multi-stage compressor.
8. A Single-stage compressor has more life span. 
9. In a Single-stage compressor, there are only two sets of chambers that are separated by one valve each chamber works independently on its own pressure level. 
10. A single-stage compressor is usually used in low-volume applications, such as AC or DC applications. It has one pressure control valve that can be adjusted between two different pressures. 
11. Multi-stage compressors are more suitable for heavy-duty compressors with variable speed control, adjustable speed control, large capacity, and lower compression ratios. 
12. A multi-stage compressor is designed for larger capacity applications, such as refrigeration systems. 
13. The multi-stage compressor has multiple valves which are controlled by the pressure differential across them. 
14. These compressors can work with higher pressure ranges which makes them more efficient than single-stage compressors due to their ability to run at higher pressures without overloading or losing efficiency like single-stage compressors does at lower pressures.
15. In Single-Stage Compressors, there may be leakage problems because you cannot monitor all pressures separately however, with Multi-Stage Compressors, you can easily monitor pressure levels individually at any point in time so if leakages occur you can react immediately.
16. A multi-stage compressor is designed for larger capacity applications, such as refrigeration systems. 
17. The multi-stage compressor has multiple valves which are controlled by the pressure differential across them, this gives a better efficiency because all pressures are divided into different sections depending upon need.