How Do Rotary Screw Air Compressors Operate?

If someone asks you what is the most common type of air compressor, the simple answer to this would be a rotary screw air compressor. These air compressors are most popular in the realm of mass production. Whenever you pass through a big factory or a manufacturing plant, the chances are that you will get to see a number of rotary air compressors working there. On the other side, you would hear a lot of things about these compressors for their ill-functioning during the winters but regular maintenance can easily bypass these problems. 




The Principal working of a rotary air compressor


The rotary air compressors consist of two helical rotors that are interlocked within the housing. The air in the ambience comes in the compressor and then trapped between the two rotors. This is the moment when the screw turns resulting in increased pressure of the air by reducing the volume. 

You would come across a number of rotary compressors that run on only one screw but they are not widely used. For large scale productions, the absolute power of two screws is essential. The single screw models are mainly used in refrigeration. 

The rotary screw air compressors enjoy excellent features and some of the notable features are:
  • Highly-efficient, compact and low noise : Depending upon the brand and size of the rotary screw compressor, these kinds of air compressors are proved to be highly efficient in their work. Further, they do not consume much space and do not make a huge noise in the work area. Thus, they are beneficial for the places where a large number of people are at work.
  • Cost-effective : As compared to other kinds of air compressors, these compressors are cost effective and they are highly durable. Once you purchase an air compressor and the same is going to last with you for ages. Further, the running costs of these air compressors are quite low.
  • Highly reliable : Most of the rotary screw air compressors come with high protection grade and integrated combination parts. There are lesser moving parts and thus, they are more reliable to be installed in main industrial areas.
These rotary screw air compressors come in two types - oil rotary compressors and non-oil rotary compressors. Let us understand the difference between these two:

While you reach out to the industrial air compressor manufacturers, you would come to know that there are a few compressors that work on oil while there are others which do not. However, all the compressors would need an outlet to filter out the oil present in the air. 

In those compressors that use oil, the motor drives the male rotor resulting in the rotation of the female rotor. The oil forms a thin layer between the two rotors and it also serves as a sealant as well as a coolant for the compression chamber.

In the air compressors that do no use oil, there is no oil that is used in the compression process. The two rotaries present are driven and controlled by gears. As there is no oil to act as a coolant or sealant, these kinds of air compressors are not good to produce high-level pressure. Therefore, the oil-free compressors are less efficient and they will catch heat fast while working. 

Because of these limitations, the oil-free compressors are confined to be used within specific environments and limited capacities. Although it is rare there are certain oil-free compressors that use water in place of oil as their coolant.

The air end of the compressor serves a different purpose besides the compression of the air. This is the place where the oil in the ambient air is compressed. Once the air end stage is complete, the compressed air is passed through the sump and there the oil from the air is also separated. 

The process of oil separation is no easy though. Depending upon the current temperature of the separated oil, a thermostatic valve treats the oil separately. The main purpose of separating the oil is to keep it in neutral temperature.

For the long term and large scale usage, the Oil Rotary Screw Compressors are the best. If you are looking for these air compressors, you can reach out to IndoAir any time. 


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