Tag: screw compressors

Air Compressors: Rotary Type

Published on by John BallLeave a comment

What is an air compressor? In simple terms, it is a machine that increases fluid pressure.  It works by either changing the volume of air, positive displacement, or by changing the velocity of the air dynamics.  Many industries use air compressors to operate pneumatic equipment.  In this blog, I wish to cover the Rotary Compressor.

The Rotary Screw Compressor is a very common type of air compressor. This compressor uses dual rotors with meshing lobes that trap air while rotating. The rotation continues to push air toward a discharge port while decreasing the space the air takes up, thus increasing pressure. The rotary type of air compressor has five different sub-categories, reference image above.  This style of air compressor has some clear advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages:

  • Quiet Operations
  • Durability and Low Maintenance
  • High Efficiency
  • Continuous duty Cycle

Disadvantages:

  • High initial cost
  • Specialized maintenance

No matter the type of air compressor you use, they are very costly to operate.  To help you use them efficiently and safely, EXAIR offers a range of products that can clean, cool, blow, conserve, and convey.  This would include our Super Air Knives, Super Air Nozzles, Safety Air Guns, Cabinet Coolers, and much more.  If you want to save energy, increase safety, and cut costs no matter what size air compressor you have, you can contact an Application Engineer at EXAIR.  We will be happy to help. 

John Ball
Application Engineer
Email: johnball@exair.com
Twitter: @EXAIR_jb

Images Courtesy of the Compressed Air Challenge

Do you know Where Your Compressor Lives?

Published on by 1 Comment

To most folks, compressed air is like any other utility. They have no idea where it comes from just that they expect it to be there when they need it. A good exercise is to pay a visit to your compressor room. Breathe in that hot, humid, grimy air. Then think about breathing that day in and day out. That is exactly what your compressor does. And where does all that ingested air go? Throughout your entire compressed air system and into your air tools.

I got a call from a customer complaining that his Air Knife kept plugging up. From the photo to the right you can see that he had horribly bad quality compressed air. The solution was the simple installation of an in-line compressed air filter. EXAIR filters separators remove water, dirt, and rust from the compressed air and prevents contaminants from plugging or damaging compressed air components.

With screw compressors, a thin-film of oil between the rotary vanes provide a seal. Under intense pressure the oil vaporizes. Being in a vapor state, an oil coalescing filter is required in addition to the dirt and water separator. A noteworthy point about compressor oil. It is aggressive and attacks polycarbonate and other materials. Consult your MSDS sheets for compatibility to materials of construction of your air tools.

If you would like assistance from one of our engineers feel welcomed to call 1-800-903-9247

Joe Panfalone
Application Engineer
Phone (513) 671-3322
Fax (513) 671-3363
Web: www.exair.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/exair_jp
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/exair