Comparing gas boosters and gas compressors

Gas boosters:

  • Typical pressure ranges – boosts inlet pressures from around 20–200 mbar up to 4 bar for standard applications, and in excess of 200 bar for high-pressure systems.
  • Volume handling – usually handles high gas volumes with moderate pressure increases.
  • Example use – raising pipeline gas pressure to meet the operational need of industrial burner systems.

Gas compressors:

  • Typical pressure ranges – compresses gas from near atmospheric pressure such as 0 bar  to extremely high pressures.
  • Volume handling – typically manages lower volumes but achieves significantly greater compression than a gas booster.
  • Example use – compressing natural gas into storage cylinders for CNG, or preparing hydrogen for refuelling stations.

How do they differ in terms of design?

Gas boosters design:

  • Simplicity – generally configured as single or multi-stage systems, depending on application needs.
  • Construction – compact, modular, and designed for seamless integration into existing plant infrastructure.
  • Power requirements – operates with less energy compared to compressors, as the pressure lift is generally smaller.
  • Materials – available with materials suited for aggressive gases such as biogas and hydrogen.

Gas compressors design:

  • Complexity – Designed for higher compression ratios and may include multiple stages for extreme pressure increases.
  • Construction – larger systems with enhanced durability and integrated cooling to manage the heat generated during compression.
  • Power requirements – significantly higher power required due to the energy demands of high-pressure compression.
  • Materials – Engineered with advanced materials to accommodate the physical characteristics of gases under pressure, including resistance to hydrogen embrittlement.

Dunphy gas booster systems

Dunphy offers a range of gas boosters designed to provide a robust and reliable solution for low gas pressure scenarios. Our systems are ideal for a wide variety of industrial applications. For specific booster information check out:

Natural Gas Boosters

Simplex Gas Boosters

Duplex Gas Boosters

Triplex Gas Boosters

As standard, systems are configured with one to three booster units, offering pressure lifts up to 82 mBar and handling volumes of up to 1300 m³/hr. For installations requiring higher lifts or throughput, we provide bespoke booster solutions engineered to precise specification.

Get in touch to find out more about our gas booster solutions.