Alternative compressors were the first to be used commercially in industrial refrigeration. Despite this, this type of compressor has been improved, and it cannot be considered an old-fashioned type of compressor.
Following the trends presented by rotating machines, the rotation of these machines has increased during the last 20 years, the rotation ranged from 120 to 180 rpm in the first compressors up to rotations in the order of 3000 rpm in the most modern compressors. Divided into Open, Semi-Hermetic and Hermetic Compressors, reciprocating compressors are the fundamental element in the refrigeration industry.
