Rotary screw compressors are some of the most popular air compressors in the market. The compressors are clean, quiet, and more efficient, making them suitable for industrial and heavy-duty applications. A rotary screw air compressor works using a set of rotors operating at high speed. You’ll encounter many different models and components, but most use the same basic principle. Here’s an overview of what you should know about rotary screw compressors:
How Do Rotary Screw Air Compressors Work?
Rotary screw compressors use the positive displacement principle to compress air into a chamber. Each compressor uses rotary movement with a set of male and female rotors. The rotators trap air between the lobes and cavities in their design. Male rotors feature convex lobes that are slightly smaller than female rotors. They also rotate faster. Female rotors have concave lobes and turn more slowly, causing air to move downwards.
Rotary screw compressors work at high shaft speeds because the screw element doesn’t feature valves. The compressors also prevent volumetric and mechanical losses, resulting in more effective flow rates. Rotary screw compressors can be dry-running or oil-flooded. Dry-running compressors feature timing gears that perfectly align the male and female rotors. Oil-flooded compressors use lubricating oil to bridge the space between the rotors.
Here’s the step-by-step operation of a rotary screw air compressor:
- Gas enters the compressor chamber through an opening valve. The chamber features two screw rotors that rotate at high speed when the machine is on.
- As the rotors rotate, they trap, isolate, and impel air between cavities. The trapped air moves downwards in the chamber.
- Pressure builds up as the air moves further down, causing compression.
- Pressure builds up to a point above the resistance of the discharge valves, causing them to open. Then, the compressed air moves to a holding tank or is directly applied.
- Some units include downstream equipment like a dryer or water/oil separator to remove contaminants from the compressed air before storage.
Where Are Rotary Screw Compressors Used Most?
Rotary screw compressors have many different industrial, construction, and manufacturing applications. Stationary compressors are ideal for large industrial applications that demand continuous air compression. Smaller mobile units can serve construction and mining operations in remote locations. They also suit other applications that require ease of installation.
Compressors are typically either oil-injected or oil-free. Oil-injected rotary screw compressors can power pneumatic equipment, gas refrigeration, hydrocarbon processing, and other applications where air quality isn’t a priority. The pharmaceutical industry, medical research, the food & beverage sector, and semiconductor manufacturers use oil-less compressors for better air quality.
What Are the Benefits of a Rotary Screw Compressor?
Because of their many benefits, rotary screw compressors are often the technology of choice across many applications. Rotary screw compressors offer efficient operation, powerful performance, energy efficiency, low maintenance, and noise reduction. They constantly draw and pressurize air, so you don’t have to turn them on or off. These longer service intervals reduce maintenance costs and result in more straightforward repairs.
The system also features fewer moving parts, minimizing wear and tear. These parts are highly durable and produce less heat. Rotary screw compressors also offer zero loss capacity over time. As a result, the compressors can reduce lifetime costs and don’t need much space. Smaller unit size and the lack of moving parts also results in quiet operation, which makes the compressor efficient for point-of-use installation.
Screw compressors also operate efficiently in various conditions, including applications requiring high airflow rates. They can operate under extreme temperatures and run pneumatic tools or other heavy equipment. This makes them versatile, long-lasting, and very useful for many different applications.
Premium Rotary Screw Air Compressor
Rotary screw compressors come in many different models, sizes, and brands. Most offer belt-driven, gear-driven, or direct-drive options. Most compressors are designed for specific applications and have unique properties and capacities. You should choose rotary screw compressors that fit your application and demands.
The best rotary screw air compressor is energy efficient and compliant with existing standards. Buy your compressor from a leading retailer that can guarantee premium models. The best retailers and manufacturers will allow you to request special requirements for your application. Find variable-speed options with advanced features and low maintenance.
