About Rotary Screw Air Compressors
How Rotary Screw Air Compressors Work
- Two intermeshing rotors in a housing having an inlet port at one end and a discharge port at the other end
- Most Rotary Screw units are single stage
- Motors run continuously. The inlet port is closed when the desired PSI is achieved and opens again as needed
- Lubricant injected into the compression chamber serves three functions:
- Lubricates the intermeshing rotors and bearings
- Removes most of the heat
- Acts as a seal in the clearances between the meshing rotors and housing
- Air exiting the rotors passes through a sump/separator. Directional and velocity changes are used to separate most of the liquid.
- The remaining aerosols in the air are separated by a Coalescing Filter, resulting in generally 2-5 parts per million of lubricant carryovers
- Lubricant (carrying much of the heat from air compressing) passes through the cooler before returning to the rotators
Additional Notes
- Rule of thumb: every 1 HP produces 4 CFM
- Advantages:
- Duty cycle can be 100% (80% minimum, designed for continuous use)
- Quiet
- Lower cost of compressed air (energy cost)
- Complete package: air is cooled, filtered through a Coalescing Filter, vibration free
- Disadvantages:
- Higher initial cost
- Requires professional maintenance
Get An Estimate Today!
