A GAS COMPRESSOR

摘要

A gas compressor is provided comprising a chamber (9) to contain gas to be compressed, a piston (12) in the chamber (9) and means to drive the piston into the chamber (9) to compress the gas. The compressor also comprises means (55) to form a spray of liquid in the chamber (9) to cool the gas on compression therein, so that the gas may be compressed approximately isothermally. Valve means (17) are provided to allow compressed gas to be drawn from the chamber. The means to drive the piston (12) comprises means to deliver driving energy stored in a fluid directly to the piston. In one embodiment, the driving energy is provided by a combustible fuel. The heat of compression is rejected at the lowest temperatures and the hot exhaust gas from the combustion process may be used to preheat the isothermally compressed gas.